Drachm of Ariobarzanes I, Philoromaios 96 BCE-93 BCE

Editor: Here we have a Drachm of Ariobarzanes I, Philoromaios. What strikes me is how a simple coin can portray such power. What can you tell us about the role of this imagery? Curator: It's a powerful object, isn't it? Consider how portraiture on coinage served as a tool for consolidating power. Ariobarzanes I, by placing his image on currency, was actively shaping his identity and projecting it onto his kingdom. How does this relate to contemporary forms of self-representation and branding? Editor: That's a great way to think about it. It makes you wonder about the messages we send through our own images today. Curator: Exactly. This coin is not just currency; it's a carefully crafted statement of authority and belonging, echoing through the ages.