coin of Zela struck under Caracalla with hexastyle temple on the reverse c. 205 - 206

Curator: This coin, minted in Zela under Caracalla, presents a compelling link to the empire's power dynamics. The hexastyle temple on its reverse is what intrigues me most. Editor: It strikes me as a rather severe image, even for imperial coinage. The temple facade feels less like a symbol of divine grace and more like an assertion of Roman order. Curator: Precisely. Zela, located in Pontus, held significant religious importance. This coin was likely used to reinforce Roman authority by co-opting local religious imagery. Editor: It's clever how the familiar temple architectural structure served as a propaganda tool. A very visible and portable symbol of power, wouldn't you say? Curator: Absolutely. And its enduring presence speaks volumes about the strategies empires employ to legitimize their rule. Editor: An object that brings together political and religious ideas...I find that profoundly thought-provoking.