PHRYGIA. Acmoneia. Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Assarion (Bronze, 20 mm, 6.89 g, 1 h), Menemachos, philalethes. ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ Laureate head of Augustus to right; before, lituus. Rev. ΑΚΜΟΝΕΩΝ / ΜΕΝΕΜΑΧΟΣ - ΦΙΛΑΛΗΘΗΣ Nike advancing left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond over her left shoulder. BMC 34. RPC I 3167. Minor flan fault on the edge and the reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, very fine.


φιλαλήθης literally means 'loving truth', or 'a lover of truth'. The epithet is sometimes applied to epicurean philosophers. On coins, it is only attested in Acmoneia and nearby Laodicea. There is an interesting connection to be made to the physician Alexander of Laodicea, who was called φιλαλήθης; perhaps Menemachos was a member of his medical school too.