Coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 317

Curator: So, here we have a coin minted by Agathokles of Syracuse. It's small, weighing just over six grams, but it speaks volumes. Editor: It looks ancient and worn, almost like a relic. There's a solemnity to it, a weight of history. Curator: Absolutely! The obverse shows the head of Arethusa, a nymph associated with Syracuse. The reverse depicts a bull, likely symbolizing strength and fertility. Editor: The bull is quite stylized, its posture rigid and somewhat unnatural. It conveys power but also a certain vulnerability. Curator: Considering Agathokles' tumultuous reign, that tension feels deliberate, wouldn't you say? A fragile power displayed on something as humble as coinage. Editor: Precisely! It’s a potent reminder that even the grandest empires can crumble into dust, leaving behind only the smallest of artifacts. Curator: What a fascinating window into the past—isn't it amazing that an object this small can tell such a huge story? Editor: Indeed, a tiny object carrying such profound echoes.