Drachm of Ariobarzanes I 96 BCE-63 BCE

Curator: This is a Drachm, a silver coin, attributed to Ariobarzanes I. It's a tiny thing, just under 4 grams, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: I'm immediately struck by its weight, or rather, what it represented. Imagine holding power in the palm of your hand, distilled into cold, hard silver. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like this weren't just currency; they were propaganda. The ruler's portrait, struck onto each piece, was a constant reminder of authority and control. Think of it as ancient viral marketing. Editor: Viral indeed! And I wonder about the artist, this "Ariobarzanes I." Did he see himself as a sculptor, immortalizing his image for the ages, or was he simply a politician using the tools he had? Curator: Perhaps a bit of both? The creation and circulation of these coins demonstrate how deeply intertwined art and power have always been. It's a potent, pocket-sized symbol. Editor: Pocket-sized, but weighty with history. Each drachm whispers tales of empires, ambition, and the enduring human desire for recognition. Curator: Precisely. It's a small object that offers a huge insight into a distant world.