Denarius of Elagabalus c. 218

Editor: This is a Denarius of Elagabalus, a small silver coin. It feels weighty with history. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's propaganda, a carefully constructed image of power. Consider Elagabalus, a young emperor whose gender expression challenged Roman norms. How does this coin attempt to solidify his authority amidst that social tension? Editor: So, it's actively trying to shape perception? Curator: Precisely. The very act of minting his image, a specific, perhaps idealized version, speaks to the emperor’s attempt to control his narrative. The coin becomes a tool of power. What do you make of that? Editor: It gives me a different perspective to how art can be a political statement.