Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 201s

Editor: This is a Denarius of Septimius Severus, located at the Harvard Art Museums. It's amazing to hold something so old, a coin that once circulated through the Roman Empire. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: Consider the material. Silver. Who controlled the mines? How did that labor shape the empire? The denarius wasn't just money; it was a tool of power, embedding the emperor's image into everyday life and materializing control. Editor: So, it's less about the artistic skill and more about what it represents? Curator: Precisely. How its production and distribution reveals social and economic structures. What does it mean to have power literally stamped onto a piece of metal exchanged for labor and goods? Editor: I never thought about it that way, it's like a tiny, portable piece of propaganda! Curator: Indeed. Examining the denarius through this lens helps us understand the tangible realities of Roman power, labor and exploitation.