Coin of Antioch under Elagabalus c. 3th century

Curator: This is a coin from Antioch, issued during the reign of Elagabalus. The coin, weighing 13.65 grams, features the emperor's profile. Editor: It looks worn, almost ghostly. I’m immediately struck by the contrast between the ambition of empire and the brutal reality of its material trace. Curator: Precisely! The emperor's visage, though faded, projects authority—laurel wreath and all. On the reverse, we see an eagle, a common symbol of Roman power. Editor: The eagle, though, is far from majestic here. It appears burdened, weighed down perhaps by the very empire it's supposed to represent. An apt symbol, considering Elagabalus’s controversial reign. Curator: A potent reminder that symbols are rarely straightforward. They carry layers of cultural and psychological weight that shift over time. Editor: Absolutely. This coin isn't just currency; it's a testament to power, its complexities, and its inevitable decay. Curator: Indeed, a small object holding a vast history. Editor: A history of ambition, resistance, and ultimately, change.