Coin (AE3) of Arcadius, Aquileia (SMAQS) 383 - 388

Editor: Here we have a coin of Arcadius, likely from the late 4th century. It feels weighty, yet fragile, like a tangible connection to a distant, unequal past. What can you tell us about this little window into Arcadius' reign? Curator: This coin is a powerful, yet subtle, tool of propaganda. Who was Arcadius trying to reach, and what message was he trying to convey? Was it about legitimacy, divine right, or something else entirely? Consider also the power structures it reinforces. Editor: It's interesting to think about who had access to these coins and how it shaped their perception of the Emperor. Curator: Exactly. And how does that contrast with how we, today, interpret that power dynamic? These objects are never neutral; they're always implicated in systems of control.