Award Winning History
Ancient Selfies celebrates a unique resource that few people know much about - ancient coins. Hand stamped from dies engraved by artisans more than 2,000 years ago, these ancient art miniatures opened up commerce by replacing barter and in so doing became the world's first social media.
Ancient rulers realized the power coins had to communicate with their subjects and trading partners. With carefully selected images, they used their coins to convey messages of strength and power, to celebrate accomplishments and beliefs and, sometimes, to deceive. In the process, they left a tangible record that let us see the ancient world as the ancients themselves saw it. Get a first person glimpse into a world that included Alexander the Great, Aristotle, Hannibal, Homer, Spartacus, Julius Caesar, Cicero, Brutus, Marc Antony, Cleopatra and more. It is a world that refined art and literature and built the institutional foundations that support our 21st century way of living.
But it was also a world of physical hardship where even the wealthy lived without the modern conveniences we take for granted. There was no electricity or Internet. There were no combustion engines, fire arms, light bulbs, or telephones. Even soap had yet to be invented. Experience this fascinating and important world in a tangible way. Contemplate their world as they saw it. Hear their stories, celebrate their, victories, and learn about their values and gods. |