Sestertius of Maximinus I c. 3th century

Editor: This is a Sestertius, a bronze coin of Maximinus I Thrax, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Given its age, its worn condition evokes a feeling of history, of lives long past. What stories does this coin whisper to you? Curator: For me, this coin isn't just an artifact; it’s a statement about power and its performative nature. Maximinus Thrax, a soldier emperor, likely used coinage as propaganda. The very act of minting his image, often idealized, reflects an attempt to legitimize his rule, particularly given his rise from humble origins. How does the coin's imagery reinforce or challenge societal hierarchies? Editor: That's fascinating. It never occurred to me to think about it as propaganda! Curator: Consider how gender, race, and class intersect within this imperial portrait. Whose stories are privileged, and whose are erased? It's a microcosm of the Roman Empire's complex power dynamics. Editor: This definitely gives me a lot to consider. Thanks for sharing your insight!