Aureus of Septimius Severus, Rome c. 200 - 201

Curator: Here we have a gold aureus coin of Septimius Severus from ancient Rome. It's fascinating how this small object reflects the power dynamics of its time. Editor: Wow, it practically glows! It's like holding a piece of the sun – so tactile, even just seeing it. Curator: These coins served not only as currency but also as propaganda. Septimius Severus used them to disseminate his image and legitimize his rule following a period of civil war. Editor: I wonder what it felt like to be handed one of these back then. Did people feel a surge of loyalty just looking at the emperor's face? Or did they just see its monetary value? Curator: It's likely both. Currency and representation were deeply intertwined. The portraits, inscriptions, and even the gold itself all conveyed messages about Roman authority and prosperity. Editor: Makes you think about how we project power today, and what objects will tell our story centuries from now. Perhaps a smartphone? Curator: Indeed, tracing the lineage of power through objects like this coin offers a unique lens to understand societal structures. Editor: It's amazing how something so small can hold so much meaning. A tiny window into a vast empire.