Coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 317

Editor: Here we have a coin from Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks worn, used… almost like it has a story to tell. What kind of story do you think this coin could tell us? Curator: This coin, beyond its monetary value, speaks volumes about power and representation in ancient Syracuse. Consider Agathokles, a self-made tyrant. What does it mean for him to mint his own image? How does this challenge established aristocratic power structures and impact perceptions of his identity and legitimacy? Editor: So it’s a symbol of his personal power, and a challenge to the old order. Curator: Precisely. Currency is a narrative, and this particular coin rewrites the story of Syracuse through Agathokles's own self-fashioning. It makes you wonder about the messages embedded in our contemporary currencies. Editor: I never thought of coins that way before! Thanks for broadening my perspective. Curator: And thank you for prompting this important discussion.