Denarius of Caracalla c. 196 - 198

Editor: This is a Denarius of Caracalla. It's small, a bit worn, but I'm struck by the contrast between the portrait and the imagery on the reverse. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Coins like this are powerful tools for understanding how rulers, like Caracalla, constructed their image. The imagery wasn't just about aesthetics; it was a carefully curated message of power and legitimacy. Editor: Legitimacy how? Curator: Consider what symbols are chosen, what narratives they reinforce, and whose voices might be missing or deliberately silenced. Who was Caracalla trying to reach and persuade? Editor: So, it's less about the coin itself and more about what it represents? Curator: Exactly. The coin becomes a lens through which we can examine the complex social and political dynamics of the Roman Empire and how power was negotiated and maintained. Editor: I never thought of it that way before; it's like holding a piece of propaganda in your hand.