Diadumenian AD 218
AE 18
obv. M OPEL ANTONINVS DIADV [CAES]
draped bust right
rev. C F P D
Telesphorus standing facing in hooded cloak
Yurukova 88; SNG Bulgaria 239-240; Moushmov 3579 
VF, a rare representation of Telesphorus with a visible face

He is a companion of Asklepios. It is a talking name (the completer) of a greek healing god, who belongs to the most problematic figures of the greek religious history. Late as 'new twig' and 'son of Asklepios' coming to the circle of Asklepos, Telesphoros was introduced by an oracle at the end of the 1st century AD in Pergamon. His earliest inscription is from AD 98-102. >From here his cult spread out quickly. Because of is child-shape and his hood cloak Telesphoros is identical with the genii cucullati, which were fertility, healing but death gods too.

Contributed by Hans-Joachim, 2006.