Priceless women: Women’s portraits on Roman money

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Lecture and conversation about portraits of women on Roman money with art historian Angelien Ponsioen

When thinking of the Roman Empire, names like Caesar, Augustus and Nero come to mind. Money was used as the ultimate propaganda tool to make these emperors known and revered. Yet Roman coins also feature portraits of women. Who were these women, and what role did they play in Roman society? Images on Roman coins can be compared to today’s Instagram: images with a caption that are distributed to a practically infinite audience.

In this programme, art historian Angelien Ponsioen tells us about why women were portrayed on this ultimate propaganda medium, in a society centred on and led by men.

Priceless women: Women’s portraits on Roman money

Education

Money collection

Art collection