Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 206 - 210

Editor: Here we have a denarius of Septimius Severus. It's small, silver, and worn. It makes me think about power and how it's represented. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about Roman imperial power, particularly its construction and dissemination. Septimius Severus, a North African emperor, strategically used coinage to legitimize his rule after a period of civil war. How does this relate to contemporary issues of representation and power dynamics? Editor: So, the image on the coin was a form of propaganda? Curator: Absolutely! Think about the carefully chosen imagery and inscriptions. These were tools to project authority and connect with diverse populations across the vast empire. Power is performative; this coin demonstrates that. Editor: I never considered coins as a form of activism. Curator: Every object can be re-contextualized. It makes you reconsider how the past and present are intertwined.