Didrachm of Amyntas III of Macedonia c. 389

Editor: This is a silver Didrachm, a coin, of Amyntas III of Macedonia, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. One side features a regal head, the other a horse. What sociopolitical narratives do you think this coin evokes? Curator: Considering Amyntas III ruled during a period of Macedonian instability, this coin becomes a powerful statement. The image of the horse, a symbol of wealth and military strength, served to legitimize his reign amidst internal strife and external threats, wouldn't you agree? Editor: That's fascinating! So, it's less about simple currency and more about propagating an image of power? Curator: Precisely. Currency was one of the earliest forms of mass media, influencing public perception of a ruler's authority and divine right, but also what and who the empire valued, which in turn shaped the empire's policies. Editor: Thank you, I'll never look at a coin the same way again! Curator: Indeed, objects like these are never neutral; they speak volumes about the power dynamics of their time.