Coin of Antioch under Caracalla c. 198s - 208s

Editor: This is a coin of Antioch under Caracalla, from the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, metallic, and seeing it makes me wonder about the stories it could tell. What symbols jump out at you? Curator: The eagle on the reverse. It's a powerful, ubiquitous symbol. It represented Rome, of course, but also imperial power, victory, and even divinity. Its presence here speaks volumes about Caracalla’s ambitions. Editor: So, the imagery was consciously chosen to convey specific messages? Curator: Absolutely. Every element was carefully considered to communicate power, legitimacy, and cultural identity. The coin is a miniature stage for imperial messaging. Editor: Fascinating. It makes you think about the lasting impact of these symbols. Curator: Exactly. Even in this small object, we see echoes of cultural memory and the enduring power of visual language.