Coin of Komana under Caracalla (age 8) c. 195 - 196

Curator: Here we have a copper coin, likely from Komana during the reign of Caracalla, dating perhaps to when he was only eight years old. Editor: It looks so worn, yet it holds the weight of an empire. What stories could this little disc tell about power and exchange? Curator: Indeed. One face displays what appears to be a temple facade. The temple is an important symbol, promising a connection to the divine order and stability. Editor: Symbols of power were often used to legitimize those in power. I wonder how effective images of temples were in quelling discontent. Curator: Consider also, the very act of minting coins declared imperial authority. The repetition of symbols forged collective identity, reinforced social hierarchies. Editor: And it reminds us that every artifact, even something as seemingly simple as a coin, is a piece of a complex, often oppressive, system. Curator: Precisely. Visual culture serves as a crucial bridge to the values of a distant world. Editor: And forces us to reflect on our present one.