As of Julia Soaemias 218 - 222

Editor: This is a copper coin, identified as "As of Julia Soaemias," and it’s currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks worn, but I can still see the profile of a woman. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Coins like these are fascinating because they served as propaganda tools. Julia Soaemias was the mother of Emperor Elagabalus, and coins bearing her image helped legitimize his rule. Consider the power dynamics inherent in using coinage to shape public perception. Editor: So the coin functioned as a political advertisement? Curator: Precisely. How might the average citizen have perceived this image, and how did it influence their understanding of the imperial family? Editor: I hadn't considered it from that perspective. It's interesting how a simple object can hold such complex historical meaning. Curator: Exactly, it makes you wonder about art’s public role in our own time.