This head is believed to be from the second or third century and was crafted in Aphrodisias, a famous Hellenistic city known for its impressive sculptures.
Archaeologists in Türkiye have found an old marble head that represents the Greek god Zeus. This head was made in Aphrodisias, a city from the Hellenistic era celebrated for its talented sculptors. The archaeological site of Aphrodisias is located in the Aydın province in western Türkiye.
Remarkable Discovery of the Ancient Zeus Head
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, shared the “unique find in Aphrodisias” on social media recently. He mentioned, “The marble head, which has seen light again after many years, showcases the magnificence of Zeus, the most powerful and significant deity in Greek mythology.” Experts believe the Zeus head was carved in relief from a single block of locally sourced, medium-grained Aphrodisias marble during the second or third century. Standing at 66 centimeters tall, this head was intentionally made larger than life and seems to have been part of an architectural feature.
Minister Ersoy added, “The impressive detailing on the hair and beard points to a leading sculpture workshop in Aphrodisias. The intricate portrayal of this divine figure creates a striking effect. The skillful techniques used here, borrowed from portraiture, lend a more lifelike and modern touch to Zeus’s depiction, making it seem as though he were a living god. This head is truly an exceptional find of great quality and historical importance.”
Exploring Aphrodisias’ Archaeology
Aphrodisias, the ancient Greek city, was built around the Temple of Aphrodite, which dates back to the third century B.C.E. Named after the goddess of love, the city was a key site for her worship. It was located near quarries of white and blue-grey Carian marble, which were used for creating building facades and sculptures during the Hellenistic and Roman eras. Sculptors from Aphrodisias gained fame throughout the Roman Empire for their advanced portrait busts and representations of gods, emperors, and other prominent figures. An earthquake in the early seventh century devastated Aphrodisias, and the city never fully bounced back.
Serious scientific digs at the Aphrodisias archaeological site began in the early 20th century, and work continues there today. In 2017, it was officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Numerous full-length marble statues and incomplete works linked to ancient sculpture schools have been uncovered in Aphrodisias. The newly found Zeus head further illuminates the sophisticated artistic practices and pagan beliefs of the people who lived there.
Who Was Zeus?
In ancient Greek mythology, Zeus is regarded as the father and king of all gods. He presided over a pantheon of deities, each with unique roles and traits. From his throne on Mount Olympus, Zeus was thought to keep a watchful eye on everything going on among humans. He rewarded good deeds, enforced justice, and provided protection when needed. Throughout art history, Zeus has been portrayed in various cultures, styles, and mediums.
Artists of both Greek and Roman backgrounds typically depicted Zeus as a mature, bearded, and dignified figure. While the citizens of ancient Aphrodisias primarily focused their worship on Aphrodite, they would still have regarded sculptural images of the mighty, universal Zeus as particularly spiritually meaningful.
