Stater of Alexander III, the Great, Abydos c. 323

Editor: Here we have the Stater of Alexander III, the Great. The artistry on such a small, golden surface is striking! What can you tell me about the means of production and social context of this artifact? Curator: The gold is key. Consider where it was mined, the labor involved. This wasn't just currency, but a statement. How does the material contribute to the message being conveyed? Editor: It speaks to wealth and power, of course. But how does viewing it through a materialist lens shift my understanding? Curator: It forces us to examine the processes, labor, and resources that enabled its creation and distribution of wealth, and challenge conventional notions of artistic value tied to the aesthetic. What does this reveal about the empire's control and the value placed on conquest? Editor: I see. Looking beyond the image to the labor and control behind it offers a richer understanding. Curator: Precisely! It's about connecting the aesthetic object to the socio-economic and political realities of its time.