Coin of Mithradates VI, Amisos (Pontos) c. 2th century

Curator: Here we have a silver coin from Amisos, Pontos, once part of Mithradates VI's kingdom. He was quite the character. Editor: It looks so worn, almost ghostly, yet there's a clear, defiant energy emanating from it. Curator: That's Mithradates for you! The coin probably helped him pay his troops, considering he was in constant wars against the Romans. Editor: And likely made of silver extracted through the exploitation of labor, reflecting the structures of power of its time. How can we reconcile that reality with its undeniable beauty? Curator: Perhaps the beauty is a mask, a reminder that even the shiniest things can hide the darkest histories. Editor: Indeed. A tiny object, a massive story about the complexities of empire.