Coin of Byblos under Diadumenian c. 217 - 218

Editor: This artifact is a coin from Byblos under Diadumenian, now at the Harvard Art Museums. Seeing the wear and its small size, I wonder about its value in society at the time. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about the Roman Empire's influence and its economic structure in Byblos. Consider how this small object connected individuals to broader networks of power and trade. Who benefited from its circulation? Editor: So, it’s more than just money; it’s about power and who controlled it? Curator: Precisely! It’s a symbol of Roman authority but also reflects Byblos's integration into the Empire. It makes me wonder, how did local populations perceive these symbols? Editor: That puts it into perspective. I’ll never look at a coin the same way again. Curator: Indeed, every artifact carries a historical narrative within it.