A remarkable 2,000-year-old Greek inscription unearthed in the ancient city of Anemurium, Türkiye, sheds light on the city's vibrant sporting culture and honors a champion wrestler named Kaikilianos.
Anemurium (Ancient Greek: Ἀνεμούριον, romanized: Anemourion), also called Animurium, is an ancient city whose ruins, now called Eski Anamur or Anemuryum, are close to the modern Turkish city of Anamur. The 13-line inscription, measuring 120 by 50 centimeters, was discovered during ongoing excavations at the Port Bath area of Anemurium, led by Professor Mehmet Tekocak of Selcuk University. The inscription, carved onto a base that likely once held a statue, commemorates Kaikilianos' victory in the adult category of a wrestling competition organized every five years by a local notable named Flavianus.
This discovery adds to the growing evidence that Anemurium, an important trade center during Roman times, was also a hub for athletic training. Professor Tekocak notes that previous inscriptions have pointed to Anemurium athletes competing and winning awards in national and international competitions.
"We are discovering a solid inscription consisting of 13 lines for the first time," said Professor Tekocak. "The exciting part is that the inscription tells us the name of the person who organized the competition, the winner, and the category of the event."
Mersin Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan expressed his excitement at the discovery, highlighting the inscription's significance in understanding the importance of sports in Anemurium's history: "This shows that the city was vibrant in that period, with events organized in sports, particularly in wrestling."
The inscription offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of this ancient city and the importance placed on athletic achievement. As excavations at Anemurium continue, archaeologists remain hopeful for further discoveries that will contribute to our understanding of this important cultural center.
The city has long been a focus for archaeological research, and the artifacts found in Anemurium, including this newly uncovered inscription, could potentially boost the site’s nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status.
As excavation efforts continue, the discoveries made at Anemurium will likely attract more cultural tourists to Mersin, further strengthening Türkiye’s reputation as a key destination for historical and archaeological tourism.
Background:
- The ancient city of Anemurium, located in Mersin province, southern Türkiye, dates back to the 4th century BC.
- The city flourished during the Roman period as an important trading center due to its strategic location near Cyprus.
- Excavations at Anemurium, a site spanning approximately 600 acres, are conducted annually under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Selcuk University.
Image Credit: İHA