A marble statue of Hermes, the messenger of Zeus in ancient Greek mythology, along with statue fragments of ancient Greek deities Eros, Aphrodite, Artemis and Nemesis have been unearthed during excavations at the ancient city of Aspendos, 40 kilometers east of Antalya on the Turkish coast, Turkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism said Monday.
According to the ministry’s statement, the large statue of Hermes was discovered during excavations that took place in 2024 among the ruins of a monumental fountain (nymphaion), located on the southern side of the entrance, east of Theater Street. Hermes’ statue is holding a purse in his right hand and with his left his cloak and caduceus, (the staff he carried). It also features a ram beside his left foot.
A statue of Hermes, as well as fragments of statues of Aphrodite, Eros, Artemis, and Nemesis, were discovered during excavation at the ancient city of Aspendos in Turkey. https://t.co/Eb7iOscmqy
— Following Hadrian (@carolemadge) March 4, 2025
The ancient sculpture, which was found in pieces and stands on a pedestal, was reassembled to represent a nearly-complete version of the monument. It stands at a height of 1.65 meters (including its base) and based on its stylistic features is dated to the Roman Imperial Period (late 2nd to early 3rd century AD).
During the excavations, two marble heads believed to belong to Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love, and Eros, the god of love were also unearthed, depicting the region’s unique artistic style and the aesthetic understanding of the period. Fragments linked to Artemis, the goddess of hunting and Nemesis, the symbol of justice were also discovered
Zamanın sessiz tanığı Aspendos’ta, yüzyıllardır gömülü kalan figürler gün ışığına kavuştu.
Aspendos Antik Kenti’nde #GeleceğeMiras projemiz kapsamında süren kazılarda, Roma İmparatorluk Dönemi’ne ait Hermes heykeli gün yüzüne çıktı.
Aynı alanda Aphrodite ve Eros’un başları… pic.twitter.com/Cdv4Hd6z5t
— Mehmet Nuri Ersoy (@MehmetNuriErsoy) March 3, 2025
“In Aspendos, a silent witness of time, figures that have been buried for centuries are now coming to light,” Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said. “During the ongoing excavations at Aspendos, which is part of our ‘Heritage for the Future’ project, a Hermes statue from the Roman Empire period has been uncovered.”
The historical richness of Aspendos, where the ancient statue of Hermes was found
Aspendos was an ancient city that thrived under the Roman Empire and became a significant center of culture and trade. It was known for its impressive structures, including its theater, which was built by Greek architect Zenon in 155 AD. The Aspendos Theater is one of the best-preserved exampled of Roman theater architecture and can seat 15,000 spectators.
The city’s aqueducts, stretching over one kilometer, brought water from the northern mountains, showcasing extraordinary engineering skills.
Aspendos was a member of the Attica-Delos Sea Union and minted its own coins during the 5th century BC. It rose to prominence after the Persian fleet was defeated near the city in 468 BC. Under Alexander the Great, it negotiated its autonomy, paying a tax to Persia. It fell under Roman control in 133 BC and saw significant growth in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.
Today, through ongoing excavations at the site, new discoveries at Aspendos continue to shed light on the ancient city’s significance through antiquity.