A marble statue has been excavated from the ruins of an ancient Greek city. The statue is of the Goddess Athena, made out of white marble and stands about 2 metres tall. Excavation work in the Western Theatre of Laodicea (ancient city) located in the Denizli Province of Turkey revealed the statue resting face down among debris found near the ‘postskene’ of the theatre, as reported by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The statue is considered an outstanding example of Roman-era sculpture. The head has not been recovered, however, archaeologists believe that it represents an important representation of the cultural and religious beliefs of the cities of the Ancient World, which was one of the most prosperous regions for weaving and trade in the ancient World.
Marble statue of the Greek goddess Athena discovered in the ancient city of Laodikeia
According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the statue is derived from the stage building of the Western Theatre, an architectural structure from the 2nd century BC. The Western Theatre has three floors and includes 16 columns on each floor; these columns form the backdrop for a sculpted stage that features elaborate sculptures of key scenes from the Homeric epics, such as the Land of the Laestrygonians, Polyphemus’ cave, and the sea monster Scylla.
The role of architectural context in ancient Roman theatre statue production
The statue depicts Athena standing on a round base in a finely crafted sleeveless peplos with a hylamis (cape) down her shoulders. The aegis on her chest is uniquely carved with the head of Medusa and serpents. This statue was specifically designed to occupy a position between two architectural columns, thus creating an unfinished back on the statue, which is typical of monumental sculptures found in theatres and amphitheatres. The distinctive design of the hylamis adds a significant archaeological dimension to the statue due to the uncommon design of the hylamis around her neck.
Chronological dating and the historical context of the Augustan period sculpture
Art historians date the piece from the first classical style to the Augustan period (27 BC-14 CE). The discovery reinforces Laodicea’s importance as one major centre for trade and textile production. While in mythology, Athena is widely recognised as a goddess of warfare, epigraphic evidence from the site suggests that she was primarily worshipped in Laodicea based on her relation to weaving and handicraft. Inscriptions corroborate that the honour of her festivals corresponded to these vital local industries, restoration work at the site has been ongoing since early 2026.
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