Tetradrachm of Antiochos III the Great of Syria c. 204

Curator: This is a tetradrachm of Antiochos III the Great of Syria, held in the Harvard Art Museums, weighing about 16.5 grams. Editor: It feels like a symbol of authority, though slightly worn around the edges, hinting at the passage of time and perhaps fluctuating power. Curator: The silver material would have been essential for trade and displays the economic power of the Seleucid Empire, but the image, the seated Apollo, reinforces Antiochos's divine right to rule. Editor: Exactly, Apollo seated on the omphalos, a sacred stone, conveys a powerful message of legitimacy and divine connection. He's holding arrows, possibly alluding to military might but also to plague and healing – potent imagery! Curator: The production of these coins would have been highly centralized, reflecting the empire's control over resources and its people, a tool of economic and political messaging. Editor: It truly captures the king’s ambition and the cultural syncretism of the Hellenistic world, merging Greek deities with local traditions. Curator: Considering the labor and resources involved, this small object embodies so much of the ancient world. Editor: Indeed, a coin isn't merely currency, but a carefully constructed narrative, miniature yet monumental.