Archaeologists Found a Majestic Ancient Statue of Hermes Buried Under a Fountain
Excavations on monumental fountain ruins resulted in the discovery of a statue of Hermes from the Roman Imperial Period.
Including its pedestal, the marble statue once stood over 5 feet tall.
Other excavations of the site also uncovered pieces from statues of Aphrodite, Eros, Artemis, and Nemesis.
Recently, the 'Heritage for the Future' project uncovered a king's mosaic house in Pergamon, Turkey. Archaeologists working on the project thankfully didn't call it a day after that, because they managed to make yet another remarkable find. Excavations on the ruins of a fountain in Aspendos—an ancient Greco-Roman city now located in modern-day Turkey—unearthed a marble statue of the god Hermes.
'Figures that remained buried for centuries in Aspendos, the silent witness of time, have come to light,' Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism, said in a press release.
The initial dig took place in 2024, but excavations in the city are ongoing, according to the release. The statue of Hermes was unearthed in many pieces, and was later pieced back together in the excavation warehouse.
Once fully assembled, the sculpture stood at just over 5 feet tall, including its pedestal. The statue depicts Hermes holding a staff in his left hand and a purse in his right, with a billowing cloak hanging from his shoulders. He is seemingly in motion, with his weight shifted onto his left foot and his right leg gently bent, as if stepping forward. At his feet is a ram peering up at him.
In Greek mythology, Hermes was known as the fleet-footed messenger of the gods. Son of Zeus and Maia, Hermes was the trickster of the pantheon. In one myth, he stole fellow god Apollo's cattle, consequently becoming the protector of thieves, shepherds, cattle, and merchants.
Experts used the stylistic qualities of the statue to date it back to the Roman Imperial Period (between the late 2nd century A.D. to early 3rd century A.D.). Imperial art, also referred to as 'classical' art, is known for its smooth lines, elegant drapery, naturalistic forms, and idealization of the naked body. According to the Center for Public Art History, the most difficult thing for experts to pinpoint is what exactly makes Roman art Roman, but generally, it can be chalked up to the Romans' ability to adapt and combine influences across centuries to make their art unique.
Excavations at the site also uncovered pieces of other statues, including heads thought to belong to Aphrodite and Eros. Both deities are associated with sexual, carnal love, but Aphrodite is also known as the goddess of beauty. Many modern words, such as aphrodisiac, are derived from Aphrodite's name, which itself comes from the Greek word for foam: 'aphros.' Both heads reflect similar stylistic qualities to the Hermes statue, and to other pieces of the time.
Torso pieces were also found in the same region. Researchers believe they belong to statues of Artemis—goddess of hunting, wildlife, and nature (also known as Diana in Roman mythology)—and Nemesis—symbol of justice, balance, and vengeance.
Finds from the ancient city Aspendos contribute to the Heritage for the Future initiative's efforts to invest in archaeological research and contribute to the cultural heritage of the region.
'I would like to sincerely thank the employees of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums who contributed to the project,' Ersoy said, 'and hope that these works we will erect will be beneficial to the cultural and tourism life of our country.'
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