Coin of ALexandria Troas under Caracalla c. 2th - 3th century

Curator: Here we have a coin of Alexandria Troas minted during the reign of Caracalla, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Immediately, it feels weighty, not just in grams, but with the residue of time. The horse is almost a ghostly presence, a whisper from antiquity. Curator: Indeed. The horse grazing is a key symbol for Alexandria Troas, linking back to its mythological roots and the famed Trojan Horse. The city claimed a strong connection to Troy itself. Editor: So, it's like a portable billboard, advertising the city's lineage. I wonder if Caracalla himself pondered the irony, given the eventual fate of Troy? Curator: Perhaps. Coins were powerful propaganda tools, reminding citizens of their history and the emperor’s power, even in distant provinces. Editor: It's a tangible link to a world of emperors and legends. Holding this, you're holding a tiny piece of history. Curator: Exactly. It demonstrates how symbols and power intersect in everyday objects. Editor: Gives you pause, doesn't it, to think about all the hands this coin has passed through.