Follis of Diocletian, Rome c. 299

Editor: This is a Follis of Diocletian, from Rome, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Seeing it here, after so much time, feels strange. How did this little coin influence the political landscape of its time? Curator: These coins were more than just currency; they were tools of imperial propaganda. Diocletian used them to disseminate his image and project power throughout the vast Roman Empire. What do you think the imagery conveys? Editor: It seems to be promoting him as a strong ruler, with a classical figure on the other side, linking him to a prestigious past. Is that right? Curator: Precisely. And consider the context: Diocletian reformed the Roman monetary system. This coin, in its material and design, embodies his efforts to stabilize the empire and restore faith in its leadership. What does that tell us about the public role of art? Editor: That it's not always about aesthetics; it's about power, control, and messaging. I hadn't considered that. Curator: Exactly, art is almost never only about aesthetics.