Coin of Hiketas, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 287

Editor: Here we have a coin of Hiketas, Tyrant of Syracuse. The imagery is worn, yet I can make out the profile of a man and what looks to be a winged figure on each side of the coin. What do you see in this piece that helps us understand its historical context? Curator: Well, the coin itself is a powerful statement. Coinage was tightly controlled and served as a form of propaganda. By placing his image on the coin, Hiketas aimed to project authority and legitimacy. Editor: So, controlling the imagery was a means of controlling the narrative? Curator: Precisely! And we must consider how these images circulated, reaching diverse populations and reinforcing a specific socio-political order. What do you think the imagery reveals about Hiketas's aspirations? Editor: I hadn’t thought about coins being used as propaganda. It gives me a new appreciation for the power of images, even on such a small scale. Curator: Indeed, these small objects offer big insights into the world of Hiketas and the dynamics of power in ancient Syracuse.