A 2-Meter-Tall Athena Statue Unearthed at Laodikeia

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A nearly 2-meter-tall white marble Athena statue was discovered in the stage building of the West Theatre at Laodikeia, Denizli. Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy highlighted its Augustan Classical style and high artistic quality.

A 2-Meter-Tall Athena Statue Unearthed at Laodikeia
Image credit: Gazeteoksijen

Archaeological In-Depth Analysis

During excavation works in the stage building of the West Theatre at the ancient city of Laodikeia, a white marble Athena statue measuring approximately 2 meters in height was unearthed. The statue was discovered face-down within a rubble fill, and its head has not yet been identified. Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy noted that the find is connected to the cultural narrative of Laodikeia and once again confirms the function of this space as a venue for staging Homeric epics. The statue exhibits characteristics of the Augustan Classical style. The standing figure, depicted on a round base, features a sleeveless peplos, a hylamis (cloak) around the neck, and an aegis on the chest adorned with a Medusa head and serpent motifs. The naturalistic rendering of the garment folds and the meticulous detailing of the fabric indicate a high level of artistic quality. The rough treatment of the rear surface, due to its placement between columns, reflects a typical practice in terms of architectural integration. Excavations at Laodikeia are being conducted in collaboration with Pamukkale University and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The architectural layout of the West Theatre consists of three stories, each containing 16 columns. Previous finds indicating that the theatre hosted scenes from Homeric epics demonstrate that this space served not only as an entertainment venue but also as a medium for cultural transmission. Numerous statues associated with this narrative were also brought to light during the 2024-2025 excavation seasons [1]. The presence of Athena statues at Laodikeia is not unprecedented. Another Athena statue, dated to the Septimius Severus period, was previously unearthed from the city's nymphaeum [2]. However, the current discovery stands out due to its location within an Augustan-period theatre stage and the rarity of its cloaked typology.

Key Findings

  • A white marble Athena statue measuring approximately 2 meters in height was discovered in the stage building of the West Theatre at the ancient city of Laodikeia (Denizli).
  • The head of the statue has not yet been located; it was discovered face-down within a rubble fill.
  • The figure belongs to the Augustan Classical style and is considered a rare example due to its cloaked typology.

Historical Context

Laodikeia was a significant cultural and commercial center during the Roman Empire. The theatres in the city functioned not only as entertainment venues but also as spaces where mythological and epic narratives were staged. Previously, sculptural groups depicting scenes from Odysseus's journey to Ithaca had been found in the West Theatre. The presence of Athena figures in the city is not new; another Athena statue, dated to the Septimius Severus period, had been excavated from the city's nymphaeum [2].

Similar Discoveries

  • Aphrodite and Dionysus sculptural heads at Aizanoi: In 2024, a second sculptural head of the goddess of love Aphrodite and a third head of the god of wine Dionysus were unearthed at the ancient city of Aizanoi in Kütahya. Similar to Laodikeia, these finds indicate a dense presence of cult figures in Roman-period theatres and sacred spaces [3].

Archaeologist's Note

This discovery offers new evidence regarding the cultural life of Laodikeia during the Roman period. In particular, associating an Athena statue found on a theatre stage with Homeric epics supports the view that ancient theatres were not merely performance venues but also spaces for mythological education and the transmission of collective memory. The cloaked typology of the statue and its Augustan style are significant for demonstrating how Hellenistic traditions and Roman art were synthesized during the early Imperial period. However, the absence of the head and the reliance solely on stylistic analysis for dating carry the risk that interpretations remain partially preliminary.

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