Coin of Sagalassos under Trebonianus Gallus c. 251 - 253

Editor: This is a coin of Sagalassos under Trebonianus Gallus, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, and well-worn, but still, how should we interpret this piece? Curator: This coin offers a glimpse into the power dynamics of the Roman Empire and its provinces. Consider Sagalassos, a city navigating its identity under Roman rule. What symbols do you see that might reflect this negotiation of power? Editor: I see a portrait, presumably of Gallus himself. Curator: Indeed. This portrait served as propaganda, asserting Roman authority. But look closer. Are there any local symbols that might suggest Sagalassos maintained elements of its own identity? Think about how colonized cultures often adapt and resist dominant narratives. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn’t considered the coin as a site of cultural negotiation. Curator: Exactly! This small object holds layers of meaning about power, identity, and cultural resistance. Editor: That’s an amazing perspective. I appreciate learning about this.