Tetradrachm of Antiochos IX Kyzikenos of Syria c. 110

Curator: Here we have a silver tetradrachm, essentially a coin, minted by Antiochos IX Kyzikenos. It weighs just over 16 grams. Editor: It's like holding history in your hand, isn't it? The wear and tear on the metal whisper stories of trade, power, and everyday transactions. Curator: Precisely! On one side, we see the king's portrait, while the other features a depiction of a Greek deity. A declaration of both earthly and divine authority. Editor: The figure of the king in profile, it’s a very gendered, patriarchal image. It makes me wonder about the role of women in Kyzikenos' Syria. Were they completely excluded from this kind of symbolic representation? Curator: That's a crucial question. While coinage predominantly features male rulers, examining other artifacts from the period might reveal more nuanced perspectives on gender roles. Editor: It makes you consider what survives and who gets to decide what is worth preserving and remembering. Curator: Absolutely. And how we interpret those fragments dictates our understanding of the past. Editor: It reminds us that even the smallest object can hold vast sociopolitical narratives. Curator: Right, and this coin, tiny as it is, still holds immense power.