Denarius of Septimius Severus 

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Septimius Severus. It's quite small, but I'm struck by how much information and authority a simple coin like this could convey. How was it used to shape public opinion? Curator: Coins like these were powerful propaganda tools. Consider how Septimius Severus, a North African general, legitimized his rule through imagery and inscription. It directly linked him to Roman history and power, circulating his image throughout the Empire. Editor: So it was a way to visually connect the ruler to the vast population? Curator: Precisely. Think about the limited forms of communication available then. Coins weren't just currency; they were miniature billboards asserting political dominance and imperial ideology. What do you make of the imagery itself? Editor: I see. It’s interesting to consider how such a common object could be so politically charged. Thanks for the insight! Curator: My pleasure. It highlights how art is always embedded in a web of power relations.