Drachm of Alexander the Great, Lampsakos c. 310

Editor: This is a silver Drachm of Alexander the Great, from Lampsakos. The details are incredible, but what strikes me is the deliberate way Alexander chose to portray himself. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The ram horns are key. They connect Alexander to the god Zeus-Ammon, signaling divine rule. Beyond ego, this carefully constructed image aimed to cement cultural memory, linking his reign to a powerful, enduring legacy. What emotional response do you think such symbolism evoked in its original audience? Editor: I imagine it inspired both awe and perhaps a little fear, reinforcing Alexander's authority. It's fascinating how symbols can carry so much weight! Curator: Indeed. And how they continue to shape our understanding of the past.