Stater of Tarsus under Datames c. 378

Curator: This is a Stater of Tarsus under Datames, a silver coin weighing nearly 10 grams. The imagery is striking even after all this time. Editor: There’s a solemnity to it, isn’t there? The way the figures are rendered, especially the seated authority on one side—it evokes a sense of ritual and power. Curator: Indeed. On one side, we see Datames himself, a Persian satrap, seated and holding a scepter. The other side depicts a scene of what seems to be a religious or ceremonial nature, perhaps Mithras sacrificing a bull. Editor: So, the coin functions as a kind of propaganda, linking Datames to both earthly authority and divine power. I wonder how these images resonated with the diverse populations under his rule. Curator: Precisely. The symbols served as a cultural bridge, attempting to unify various beliefs under a shared visual language. Editor: It’s fascinating how something so small could carry so much political and religious weight. Looking at this tiny artifact makes me think about the outsized role imagery has played across all of recorded history. Curator: It's a reminder that even the smallest objects can reveal complex narratives about power and belief.