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Faces of Power: Imperial Portraiture on Roman Coins :new exhibition
:: 05 April, 2007
Former NSW Premier Bob Carr and Cardinal George Pell are among a group of prominent Australians who will discuss the concept of power in a series of lectures to coincide with the opening of a new exhibition at the Nicholson Museum.
Faces of Power: Imperial Portraiture on Roman Coins opens today at the University of Sydney's Nicholson Museum and tells the stories of the imperial families of ancient Rome through a collection of more than 130 antique coins, spanning five centuries of imperial reign, with coins dating from 44 BC to 470 AD.
According to Senior Curator at the Nicholson Museum, Michael Turner, the coins, mostly taken from the Nicholson Museum's extensive collection, give a fascinating insight into Roman antiquity and the whims of Imperial Rome. "Modern spin-doctors and advertising gurus could learn a thing or two from the way emperors used their coinage either to glorify themselves or as propaganda," said Michael Turner. "Wives, mothers and even boyfriends are all depicted to help the cause".
ABC broadcaster and columnist Phillip Adams will kick off the series of talks by modern day figures discussing the idea of power through Roman emperors and will officially launch Faces of Power: Imperial Portraiture on Roman Coins at 6.30pm on Wednesday, 18 April, 2007. He will be followed by former NSW Premier Bob Carr, who will discuss Marcus Aurelius (161-180AD) on Thursday, 28 June, 2007. Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell will then discuss Constantine the Great - the first Christian emperor - on Wednesday, 25 July, 2007. Other speakers are still to be confirmed.
On Wednesday 22 August, 2007, the Nicholson Museum will also present an evening for the would-be or astute coin collector. Colin Pitchfork of Noble Numismatics will explain the joys and pitfalls of collecting coins in a talk entitled The Art and Science of Collecting Ancient Coins. "Coins are a fascinating, and often surprisingly cheap, way for anyone with an interest in the Ancient World to get hold of something from antiquity," said Turner.
Ex-BBC presenter and author, Derek Parker, will then discuss the emperors and their use of astrology in a talk titled The Moon is Stained with Blood on Tuesday, 4 September, 2007.
Faces of Power: Imperial Portraiture on Roman Coins closes mid-September, 2007.
Event details:
What: Official opening of Faces of Power: Imperial Portraiture on Roman Coins, by ABC broadcaster Phillip Adams.
When: 6.00pm for 6.30pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2007.
Where: The Nicholson Museum, southern end of the Quadrangle, The University of Sydney.
Cost: Free.
Bookings essential: phone (02) 9351 2812 or email m.turner@usyd.edu.au.
Further updates on Faces of Power and other events at the Nicholson Museum website.
For more information, please contact Senior Curator of the Nicholson Museum Michael Turner on (02) 9036 6485 or m.turner@usyd.edu.au or Media Officer Katrina O'Brien on (02) 9036 7842 or k.obrien@usyd.edu.au.
Contact: Katrina O'Brien
Phone: 02 9036 7842
Email: k.obrien@usyd.edu.au
Release link: http://www.usyd.edu.au/news/84.html?newscategoryid=2&newsstoryid=1657
