Nomos 38

PHRYGIA. Philomelion. Otacilia Severa, Augusta, 244-249. (Bronze, 30 mm, 14.61 g, 12 h), struck under the magistrate Marcus Nestor. ωΤΑΚΕΙΛΙΑ CΕΥΗΡΑ CΕΒ Diademed and draped bust of Otacilia Severa to right, set on a crescent. Rev. ΕΠΙ Μ ΝΕCΤΟ ΦΙΛΟΜΗΛΕΩΝ / Β Tetrastyle circular tholos, with spirally fluted columns, a domed roof surmounted by akroteria and, at the center, by a floral base supporting a figure standing to left; enclosed within the intercolumniation, cult statue of Dionysos standing facing, turned slightly to the left and holding a kantharos with his right hand; to his right, tree trunk; in the foreground, a platform with, at the center, a round altar on a pedestal. RPC VIII, ID 20685.9 (this coin). Attractive light-brown patina. Scattered encrustations, otherwise, good very fine.

Inscriptions attest that the cult of Dionysos played an important role in the civic life of Philomelion, especially during the 2nd and 3rd centuries. However, a tholos temple like the one depicted on this coin has not yet been unearthed. We have to assume that the archeologists just did not look hard enough, or that the relevant quarter of Philomelion has not yet been excavated.