Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 198 - 200

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have a fascinating artifact: a Denarius of Septimius Severus. Look closely at its worn surface. Editor: It's incredible how something so small could carry so much power and influence. The images are so clear. Curator: Indeed. The composition is quite balanced. On one side, we see Severus's profile, every curl and line meticulously rendered. Editor: It's a calculated image of power. Considering Severus's reign and his military background, this denarius also speaks volumes about propaganda. Curator: Certainly. But let’s not overlook the formal elements. The circular shape and the incised details create a self-contained world. Editor: A world built on conquest and patriarchal systems of control—this coin, though small, acted as currency for the violence of the Roman Empire. Curator: A fascinating confluence of aesthetics and historical narrative. Editor: Exactly, it prompts critical questions about the distribution of power.