Authorities in the Zile district of Turkey’s Tokat province have uncovered a 2,000-year-old mosaic with a Greek inscription during an unauthorized excavation. The discovery features Tryphe, the ancient Greek symbol of luxury and elegance, and has drawn attention from cultural experts across the country.
Four suspects were caught illegally digging at a vineyard house where the mosaic was found. Two of them were arrested and later sent to prison following a court appearance.
The remaining suspects were released under judicial control. One of them reportedly live-streamed the excavation and shared footage online, sparking outrage among archaeologists and preservationists.
Security teams found the mosaic partially hidden under sacks. Measuring roughly three meters by three meters, the artwork is now under examination by cultural heritage specialists.
Depiction of Tryphe offers insight into Ancient ideals
The mosaic depicts the bust of Tryphe, a figure associated with luxury in Greek and Roman tradition. She is shown wearing elegant clothing, with flowing hair, earrings, and a soft, graceful posture. Her head is turned slightly to the left against a light-colored background. The Greek word “ΤΡΥΦΗ” (Tryphe) is inscribed beside her.
Kaçak Kazıda Antik Yunanca Dönemine Ait Mozaik Bulundu
Tokat’ın Zile ilçesinde bir bağ evinin bahçesinde izinsiz kazı yapan 4 kişi, üzerinde Antik Yunanca ‘ΤΡΥΦΗ’ yazan ve bir kadın figürü olan mozaik buldu. Jandarma ekiplerinin düzenlediği operasyonla yakalanan şüphelilerden… pic.twitter.com/jJrWYIIccT
— Sonbirsöz (@gazetesonbirsoz) May 7, 2025
Tryphe’s origins trace back to Classical Greece, where the concept initially carried negative associations such as softness and indulgence. Over time, however, its meaning shifted. During the Hellenistic period, Tryphe came to represent elite wealth and refinement.
Rulers used displays of lavish living, such as banquets and ornate palaces, to assert power and status. The term became a kind of state-sponsored ideal.
Cultural meaning evolved over centuries
The word tryphao, meaning “to live in luxury or excess,” was often used in literature to describe women, children, or overly refined men, reflecting both admiration and criticism. Eventually, the related name Tryphon became a royal title among the Ptolemaic kings in Egypt and later found its way into everyday use.
Similar images of Tryphe have been found in mosaics from other Roman-era cities, including Antiochia ad Orontem and Sinop. A well-known example appears in the “House of Drunken Dionysus” in ancient Antioch, where Tryphe is shown reclining on a cushion, holding a goblet, and wearing jewelry and a floral crown.
The mosaic also features Bios, the personification of life, suggesting a symbolic contrast between indulgence and vitality.
Experts see artistic links to coastal Greco-Roman cities
Another mosaic discovered in Sinope (Greek: Σινώπη) presents Tryphe within a circular frame, clearly identified by a Greek label.
Experts believe the Tokat mosaic’s style and craftsmanship may have been influenced by artistic traditions from affluent coastal cities such as Daphne, Olba, and Antioch.
The discovery of an ancient mosaic with a Greek inscription has renewed calls for stronger protection of Turkey’s archaeological heritage, especially in rural areas vulnerable to illegal digs.