Denarius of Elagabalus c. 219

Curator: This is a Denarius coin of Elagabalus, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small thing, but feels so powerful in its directness. Editor: You can almost feel the weight of history in that tiny disc. It’s fascinating how such a small object can carry so much political and cultural weight. I am also immediately struck by how worn the edges are. Curator: Right? It's been handled, passed around, a literal piece of everyday life. And the face, Elagabalus himself... Editor: …presented here within a very specific cultural framework. Coins like this weren't just currency; they were propaganda tools, asserting power and divine legitimacy through carefully chosen imagery. Curator: I'm drawn to the way the light catches the metal, a subtle glow around his profile. It's like catching a glimpse of a forgotten emperor. Editor: It also makes me think about how queer identity was portrayed, or rather, strategically presented, in ancient Rome. Curator: It's humbling to think about the stories it could tell. Editor: Absolutely, it's a potent reminder that identity and power are always in flux, always being negotiated through visual culture.