Coin of Demetrios II of Syria c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Demetrios II of Syria Nikator, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels small, almost unassuming. What do you see in this piece beyond its monetary value? Curator: I see power, Editor. The symbols struck into this coin, likely the portrait of Demetrios himself and perhaps an associated deity, were carefully chosen to project an image of authority and legitimacy. Editor: Authority, even in something so small? Curator: Absolutely. Coins were one of the most widely circulated forms of propaganda in the ancient world. Each one a tiny billboard, reinforcing the ruler's claim. What emotions do you think the images are conveying? Editor: I hadn't considered it that way. It's a potent reminder of how symbols shape our perceptions of power, even today.