AR Antiochos VII Eumenes 

Curator: Here we have a silver tetradrachm from the reign of Antiochos VII Euergetes, part of the Seleucid Empire. Editor: It’s remarkable how much this tiny coin conveys, even with its worn surfaces. There's a distinct melancholy to the profile. Curator: The coin features a portrait of Antiochos VII on the obverse. What strikes me is the symbolic weight carried by numismatic art. Editor: Absolutely. Coins were tools of propaganda, weren't they? This idealized depiction of Antiochos aims to project power and legitimacy. Curator: Precisely. And on the reverse, we see Athena Nikephoros, a common motif signifying victory. Her presence reinforces Antiochos's claim to authority. It's also a connection to shared classical imagery. Editor: Right, while it embodies power, it's a power rooted in very specific Hellenistic ideals and patriarchal structures. I wonder how it was received by different groups within the empire. Curator: A good question to consider. The coin serves as a potent reminder of how symbols shape perceptions of power throughout history. Editor: Indeed, and how those perceptions were very intentionally constructed and disseminated. The impact of such images resonates even now.