Follis of Licinius I, Cyzicus 321 - 324

Curator: This is a Follis of Licinius I, minted in Cyzicus. This coin, now part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, offers insights into the power dynamics of the Roman Empire. Editor: It looks so fragile and worn, almost ghostly. To hold something so small that once held so much symbolic weight... it's humbling. Curator: Indeed. Licinius I, a key figure in the early 4th century, used coinage extensively to disseminate his image and authority across a vast territory. Editor: A crucial reminder that image control has always been central to political legitimacy. Consider the implications of how his likeness, a symbol of power, circulated amongst diverse populations. What narratives did it reinforce, and whose stories were silenced? Curator: Precisely. By understanding the socio-political context of its production and use, we can deconstruct its intended messaging and consider its implications for marginalized communities of the time. Editor: It reminds me that even the smallest artifacts can be powerful tools for understanding larger historical narratives. Curator: It's a microcosm reflecting the macrocosm of Roman power.