Rare 13-line inscription found in Türkiye

Experts have unearthed a rare ancient Greek inscription at the ruins of Anemurium, a Hellenistic city located in southern Türkiye in a significant archaeological discovery.

A rare inscription in ancient Greek has been found at the ruins of the Hellenistic city of Anemurium in southern Türkiye, revealing a dedication to a local champion wrestler. This inscription features 13 lines and is carved into a stone measuring 120 centimetres high and 50 centimetres wide, believed to be the base of a statue honoring the athlete Kaikilianos, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“The inscription thrilled us. While we’ve found athlete inscriptions in other cities, this is the first instance of a substantial 13-line inscription on an archaeological piece we can categorize as an altar or statue base,” stated Professor Dr. Mehmet Tekocak of Selçuk University, who directs the excavation, in an interview with Türkiye’s Anadolu news agency.

According to Dr. Tekocak, this Greek inscription dedicated to champion wrestler Kaikilianos was discovered within the remains of the ancient city's public baths and dates back to the Roman period of Anemurium, when it thrived as a port city. He noted that the inscription includes the names of the competition organizer, the award recipient, and the category of the competition. 

“A citizen named Flavianus, who lived in Anemurium during the 2nd century AD, organized a competition in his honor every five years. The inscription reveals that the athlete Kaikilianos won the championship in the adult wrestling category during the second competition, for which Flavianus awarded him,” Dr. Tekocak explained. Alongside the award, an honorary statue and inscription were created for the athlete. “It’s likely that there was a statue of the athlete associated with this inscription. 

The fact that it was found in the public bathhouse, a hub of social and cultural life in ancient times, indicates that the athlete held significant importance,” explained the archaeology professor. Among other notable discoveries at Anemurium was a statue of a woman uncovered during last year’s excavation. This marks the seventh excavation season at Anemurium, situated near the modern city of Anamur in Türkiye's Mersin province. 

The site's history dates back to at least the Hellenistic period, as supported by archaeological evidence, and it is believed to have been inhabited until the 7th century AD. The ancient remains span a large area, featuring an acropolis, a lower town, and a necropolis filled with numerous monumental structures. 

By Naila Huseynova