Coin of Juba II c. 5 - 8

Editor: So, here we have a coin of Juba II. It's fascinating how such a small object can carry so much history. What strikes me is its weathered texture. What do you see when you look at this coin? Curator: I see more than just currency. I see a deliberate act of self-representation by a North African king under Roman influence. How does Juba II negotiate his identity through this coin, straddling the line between Roman power and his own kingdom's autonomy? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. So the coin isn't just about trade, it's about power? Curator: Exactly. And about cultural survival. Each symbol and inscription becomes a statement of Juba's complex political reality. What does it mean for him to be both a king and a client of Rome? Editor: It is amazing to see how such a tiny coin embodies the push and pull of different identities. Curator: Indeed. Examining this coin helps us understand the broader dynamics of cultural exchange and resistance in the Roman world.