Denarius of Elagabalus c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Elagabalus, made by Elagabalus himself. It’s tiny, but I can make out figures. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The denarius, a vessel of Roman power, bears Elagabalus's image. But consider: What meanings are assigned to money, what stories do we tell through the images on coins, and how do those narratives shape cultural memory? Editor: So it's not just currency, it's propaganda? Curator: Exactly! The coin is a symbol, reflecting the emperor's image and ambition. It provides insight into the values they wished to project onto the Roman world. Editor: It's fascinating how much can be communicated through such a small object. Curator: Indeed. Each denarius carries the weight of history, culture, and psychology, shaping our understanding of power and representation.