Follis of Maxentius, Ostia 309 - 312

Editor: This is a bronze Follis of Maxentius from Ostia. It looks pretty worn, almost like a relic of a forgotten power. What can we learn from such a seemingly insignificant object? Curator: This coin, small as it is, speaks volumes about power, representation, and social control in late antiquity. Consider how Maxentius, a usurper, used coinage to legitimize his rule, carefully crafting his image for political gain. Editor: So, it's less about currency and more about propaganda? Curator: Exactly! These images were circulated widely, reinforcing a particular narrative and attempting to solidify his authority. What does it mean to see a ruler’s image so tarnished, so eroded by time? Does it reflect on the temporality of power itself? Editor: It's fascinating how something so small can reveal so much about a society's values and power structures. Thanks for opening my eyes to a new way of seeing history! Curator: My pleasure! Keep questioning whose stories are being told, and whose are being left out.