Nomos AG
obolos 16 11 Oct 2020
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
PISIDIA. Antiochia. Gordian III, 238-244. Diassarion (Bronze, 24 mm, 5.06 g, 6 h). IMP CAES M ANT GORDIAN[VS AVG] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to right. Rev. COL CE-S ANTICI (sic) / S R Draped bust of Mên to right, wearing Phrygian cap, resting on a crescent. Krzyźanowska dies XXIX/- (rev. die not recorded). SNG BN 1251 (same obv. die). Black patina; unknown with this reverse. Very fine.
Mên was a Phrygian lunar deity with roots in both Mesopotamian and Zoroastrian religion. In central and western Asia Minor he was often worshiped in association with the goddess Anahita. At Antiochia in Pisidia, which was a Roman colony with legionaires stationed nearby, there was a large temple complex to Mên Askaenos. The inscriptions in the temple all date to the colonial period, and suggest his cult was highly regarded by the Roman soldiers in the area similar to that of the god Mithras, who also had lunar elements to his worship.
Mên was a Phrygian lunar deity with roots in both Mesopotamian and Zoroastrian religion. In central and western Asia Minor he was often worshiped in association with the goddess Anahita. At Antiochia in Pisidia, which was a Roman colony with legionaires stationed nearby, there was a large temple complex to Mên Askaenos. The inscriptions in the temple all date to the colonial period, and suggest his cult was highly regarded by the Roman soldiers in the area similar to that of the god Mithras, who also had lunar elements to his worship.