Stater of Tarsus under Mazaios c. 361

Curator: This is a Stater of Tarsus, made under Mazaios, and it's housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a somber yet powerful quality conveyed in such a tiny format; its circular shape containing so much detail. Curator: Indeed. As a currency piece, its materiality speaks to a complex economic and political system during the time. Think about the mining and labor involved. Editor: I'm immediately drawn to the imagery. The lion attacking the bull is such a dynamic, if somewhat brutal, composition, rendered with great skill. Curator: Exactly. The iconography reflects the ruler's power and possibly the region's agricultural wealth. It was a tool for promoting political messages. Editor: The incuse details create a striking contrast; what’s visible almost seems to emerge from the surface. Curator: It’s a powerful reminder that even the smallest object can reveal so much about larger societal structures. Editor: It's truly fascinating how the artist managed to capture so much life and narrative in such a restricted space.