Nomos AG
obolos 17 20 Dec 2020
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PHRYGIA. Palaeobeudos. Hadrian, 117-138. Assarion (Bronze, 21 mm, 4.93 g, 12 h). ΑΥ ΚΑΙ [ΤΡΑ] ΑΔΡΙΑΝ[ΟC] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right. Rev. ΠΑΛΑΙΟ-ΒΕΥΔΗΝΩΝ Mên standing facing, head to left, wearing short chiton and cloak, with crescent behind shoulders, holding pine-cone in his right hand, resting with left on spear. BMC 2. RPC 2621. Von Aulock, Phrygiens I 851-3. Brown and tan patina; portrait of fine style. 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. He was especially revered by the Roman legions stationed in the region; at Antiochia in Pisidia for instance, 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. He was especially revered by the Roman legions stationed in the region; at Antiochia in Pisidia for instance, 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.