Sestertius of Philip I

Curator: This Sestertius was produced during the reign of Philip I, also known as Philip the Arab. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the way it feels like a relic of immense power, softened by time and corrosion. Curator: Indeed. Its materiality speaks volumes about the complex racial politics of the Roman Empire. Philip’s reign, though brief, challenges Eurocentric narratives of Roman leadership. Editor: Absolutely. The imagery used, even in this worn state, is potent. The portrait on one side, the symbolic representation on the other – a testament to a ruler's effort to project power and legitimacy. Curator: Yes, and this object’s survival allows us to connect the history of empire to questions of identity and representation. Editor: It prompts reflection on how power is represented and how that representation is eroded and reshaped by time.