Coin of Orchomenos under Septimius Severus 198 - 209

Curator: This is a bronze coin of Orchomenos, minted under the reign of Septimius Severus. Editor: There's a stark beauty in its weathered texture; the circular form echoes the cyclical nature of power itself. Curator: Absolutely. Septimius Severus, a North African emperor, seized power during a period of intense political instability, making coins like these vital for legitimizing his rule across a diverse empire. The very act of minting, therefore, became an assertion of control. Editor: I notice the profile, worn yet legible, and it offers a compelling study in the use of portraiture as propaganda. Curator: Indeed, and the reverse depicts a local deity or symbol, integrating regional identities into the imperial narrative, a powerful form of cultural negotiation. Editor: It's remarkable how such a small object speaks volumes about cultural interactions. Curator: Precisely; a material testament to the complexities of identity and power.