Coin of Mithradates VI, Amisos (Pontos) c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Mithradates VI from Amisos, Pontos. The silver is worn, yet I can still make out a face surrounded by what looks like sun rays. What do you make of it? Curator: The sun, often associated with divinity and power, suggests Mithradates' ambition to project a specific image. What stories does this conscious manipulation of symbols tell us about his reign? Editor: Stories? You mean like propaganda? Curator: Indeed! Symbols operate within complex systems of meaning. By understanding how these images were intended to resonate, we can begin to decipher the cultural memory Mithradates sought to cultivate. Editor: That’s fascinating! So much history packed into one little coin. Curator: It reveals the emotional weight carried by these symbols. Coins become enduring cultural artifacts, whispering tales of power long after empires have crumbled.