Denarius of Q. Cassius Longinus (imitation) c. 55 BCE

Editor: This is a Denarius of Q. Cassius Longinus, or at least, an imitation of one. It's interesting how this small object carries so much potential for understanding Roman history. What do you make of it? Curator: Well, I find it significant that this is an imitation. What does it say about power structures and accessibility when even currency is subject to replication and potential subversion? Consider the agency of the maker and the user in a system designed for control. Editor: So, it's less about the official narrative and more about the cultural implications of its existence? Curator: Precisely. It challenges the idea of a singular, authorized history, reminding us that narratives of power are always contested and reinterpreted. Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn't considered. It really makes you think about who gets to participate in shaping history. Curator: Indeed. It's a starting point for questioning what we consider "authentic" and who benefits from that designation.