Six ancient Greek statues discovered in Magnesia on the Meander river in southwestern Turkey

Α Decrease font Enlarge font
Six ancient Greek statues discovered in Magnesia on the Meander river in southwestern TurkeyFemale and male statues were unearthed in the ruins of a temple to Artemis

Six statues dating back 2,000 years were discovered Saturday in the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Magnesia, situated in southwestern Aydın province's Germencik district, according to Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah.

Professor Orhan Bingöl, who has been overseeing the excavations in the site since 1984, said four female and one male statues were unearthed in the ruins of a temple to Artemis, adding that one of the statues' gender was unknown.

Bingöl specified that all statues were found in the same area and were in good condition of preservation, placed face-down next to each other.

"We know that, along with the ones being displayed in Istanbul, Izmir and Aydın, there have been nearly 50 statues unearthed from Magnesia ruins. This discovery will not be the end of it and clearly shows we can find more statues in this particular area," he noted.

The first excavations in Magnesia were conducted between 1891 and 1893 by a German archaeological team led by Carl Humann. The work lasted 21 months and partially unearthed the theater, the Artemis temple, the agora, the Zeus temple and the prytaneion. Excavations were resumed at the site, after an interval of almost 100 years, in 1984, by Bingöl.

History of Magnesia on the Meander

Magnesia or Magnesia on the Maeander was an ancient Greek city in Ionia, considerable in size, at an important location commercially and strategically in the triangle of Priene, Ephesus and Tralles. The city was named Magnesia, after the Magnetes from Thessaly who settled the area along with some Cretans. It was later called "on the Meander" to distinguish it from the nearby Lydian city Magnesia ad Sipylum.

The territory around Magnesia was extremely fertile, and produced excellent wine, figs, and cucumbers. It was built on the slope of Mount Thorax, on the banks of the small river Lethacus, a tributary of the Maeander river upstream from Ephesus. It was 15 miles from the city of Miletus.The ruins of the city are located west of the modern village Tekin in the Germencik district of Aydın Province, Turkey.

Magnesia lay within Ionia, but because it had been settled by Aeolians from Greece, was not accepted into the Ionian League. Magnesia may have been ruled for a time by the Lydians, and was for some time under the control of the Persians, and subject to Cimmerian raids. In later years, Magnesia supported the Romans in the Second Mithridatic War.

Magnesia soon attained great power and prosperity, so as to be able to cope even with a challenge from Ephesus. However, the city was taken and destroyed by the Cimmerians, some time between 726 BC and 660 BC. The deserted site was soon reoccupied, and rebuilt by the Milesians or, according to Athenaeus, by the Ephesians. The Persian satraps of Lydia also occasionally resided in the place.

In the fifth century BC, the exiled Athenian Themistocles came to Persia to offer his services to Artaxerxes, and was given control of Magnesia to support his family.

The name "magnet" may come from lodestones found in Magnesia.

In the time of the Romans, Magnesia was added to the kingdom of Pergamon, after Antiochus had been driven eastward beyond Mount Taurus. After this time the town seems to have declined and is rarely mentioned, though it is still noticed by Pliny and Tacitus.  Hierocles ranks it among the bishoprics of the province of Asia, and later documents seem to imply that at one time it bore the name of Maeandropolis. The existence of the town in the time of the emperors Aurelius and Gallienus is attested to by coins.

Landmarks of Magnesia

Magnesia contained a temple of Dindymene, the mother of the gods; the wife or daughter of Themistocles was said to have been a priestess of that divinity.

Strabo later noted the temple no longer existed, the town having been transferred to another place. The change in the site of the town alluded to by Strabo, is not noticed by other contemporary authors, however some suggest that Magnesia was moved from the banks of the Meander to a place at the foot of Mount Thorax three miles from the river.

The new town which Strabo saw was remarkable for its temple of Artemis Leucophryene, which in size and the number of its treasures was surpassed by the temple of Ephesus, but in beauty and the harmony of its parts was superior to all the temples in Asia Minor. The temple to Artemis is said by Vitruvius to have been built by the architect Hermogenes, in the Ionic style. Following a theophany of the goddess Artemis in the 3rd century B.C., the temple and the city were recognised as a place of asylia by other Greek states. 

Little remains of either temple today. The site of Magnesia on the Maeander was once identified with the modern Güzelhisar; since then the ruins of a temple to Artemis were found at Inck-bazar, and the latter is considered a more likely site.

Modern excavations

The first excavations at the archaeological site were performed during 1891 and 1893 by a German archaeological team conducted by Carl Humann, discoverer of the Pergamon Altar. These lasted 21 months and partially revealed the theatre, the Artemis temple, the agora, the Zeus temple and the prytaneion. Excavations were resumed at the site, after an interval of almost 100 years, in 1984, by Orhan Bingöl of the University of Ankara and the Turkish Ministry of Culture.

Findings from the site are now displayed in Istanbul and Aydın, as well as in Berlin and Paris. Copies of the portico (pronaos) of the Zeus temple and of a bay of the Artemis temple can be visited in the Pergamonmuseum in Berlin. Much of the architectural remains of Magnesia were destroyed long ago by local lime burners. The well preserved remains of the Zeus temple have been destroyed by local residents even after Humann's excavation campaign.

In July 2018, six Greek statues discovered. Four female, one male and one with unknown gender were unearthed in the ruins of a temple of Artemis.

Photo Source: dailysabah.com/AA

Tornos
  1. 09/02 19:36

    Rethymno Carnival 2025 | The event of the theme “Come to the Light” is fantastic

  2. 09/02 07:32

    How can tourism contribute to the growth of Greek cosmetic products in Britain

  3. 09/02 07:29

    Castle scholars from all over the world promote Frogakastello in Crete

  4. 08/02 08:24

    Chris Nassetta, Hilton: Optimistic about 2025 despite market challenges

  5. 08/02 07:19

    Seven shipwrecks removed from Pylos marina

  6. 07/02 23:09

    Grant payments for 4 hotel investments in Paxos, Lefkada, Zakynthos and Chania

  7. 07/02 18:40

    Olga Kefalogianni in HORECA | Greece has experience in managing natural phenomena

  8. 07/02 15:06

    FedHATTA: “Opening up” of Greek travel agencies to the Iranian market

  9. 07/02 14:35

    New Head of Hotel Purchasing at alltours

  10. 07/02 13:49

    ShortStay Conference 2025 returns to Athens

  11. 07/02 13:26

    Applications for the Best Tourism Villages 2025 are now open

  12. 07/02 13:02

    Springer Reisen: 20 connections to Greek islands this summer

  13. 07/02 12:26

    Greece: Nearly 30 million international air arrivals in 2024 - Who traveled where

  14. 07/02 11:19

    Europe as a single tourist destination - A. Fiorentinos at the Destination Europe Summit 2025

  15. 07/02 06:55

    Positive prospects for tourism in 2025 but major “thorns” remain

  16. 07/02 06:41

    British travel agents “discover” Naxos - Record arrivals in 2024

  17. 07/02 06:14

    Donation from HEDNO for the restoration of the Ottoman Bath of Kalloni in Lesvos

  18. 06/02 18:58

    Work on the Thessaloniki Flyover is progressing at a rapid pace

  19. 06/02 18:54

    Sports Tourism | Ministerial meeting for the Euroleague Coaches Conference 2025

  20. 06/02 18:25

    29.3 million international air arrivals in 2024, with clear signs of an extended season

  21. 06/02 16:43

    Artificial intelligence in tourism: what TUI research shows

  22. 06/02 15:49

    Greece, a holiday and investment destination for Arabs

  23. 06/02 14:42

    Sotheby’s: The Athenian Riviera is first in demand for luxury properties

  24. 06/02 13:48

    More flights to Greece in 2025 from the Irish market

  25. 06/02 12:05

    Travelers are paying attention to cost and quality, few to sustainability

  26. 06/02 11:57

    Wyndham and HR Group expand into Germany, Austria and the Netherlands

  27. 06/02 07:37

    How will Naxos deal with the risk of water shortages ahead of the tourist season

  28. 06/02 07:28

    Attica Region: There is no overtourism in Athens - a warning for infrastructure

  29. 06/02 07:16

    Grant payments for 4 hotel investments in Rhodes, Chania, Itilo and Sivota

  30. 06/02 07:05

    Crete will send its visitors for greens!

  31. 06/02 06:11

    Municipality of Folegandros: Prohibition of roaming or grazing animals in tourist areas

  32. 05/02 19:57

    Milos Municipality attempts to block second investment for 5-star hotel

  33. 05/02 19:03

    National Action Plan for Cycling, with development in cycling tourism

  34. 05/02 16:51

    Curtain Call for the 2025 Rethymno Carnival

  35. 05/02 15:46

    Ryanair: New Brussels – Volos connection in summer 2025

  36. 05/02 12:41

    The first robotic restaurant with artificial intelligence at Barcelona Airport

  37. 05/02 12:40

    Athens Airport: 2025 started on a positive note,+14.5% passengers in January

  38. 05/02 12:35

    How foreign travel professionals will promote Greek destinations

  39. 05/02 11:45

    Tourism: 4 Greek islands capture Americans’ 2025 vacation interest

  40. 05/02 07:04

    Grants for a boat shelter in Halkidiki and hotels in Chania, Zagori, and Koroni

  41. 05/02 07:02

    5 new hotel investments in the Greek siland of Crete

  42. 05/02 06:53

    Conde Nast Traveller | Crete among the 29 best places to visit before summer

  43. 05/02 06:22

    The big bet of the next 10 years for Aegean Airways

  44. 05/02 06:14

    Travel agents’ introduction to Kalamata

  45. 05/02 06:13

    Holy Metropolis of Rhodes: Digital Promotion of Museums Network and Monuments

  46. 05/02 06:09

    Grand Egyptian Museum to open on July 3

  47. 04/02 22:49

    Main Patras-Pyrgos highway section due to finish July 31, open to traffic soon

  48. 04/02 20:18

    Hellenic Republic President to receive new Ambassadors of Vietnam, Ireland, and Sweden

  49. 04/02 19:53

    Celestyal: Free cabin upgrades on select cruises

  50. 04/02 17:31

    Pan-Cretan Forum | Promoting Cretan products in Cretan hotels for the 13th year

  51. 04/02 16:05

    SKY Express: Free tickets for children and teachers on Santorini-Athens flights 

  52. 04/02 14:57

    Two new flight connections to Athens taking off in February

  53. 04/02 14:40

    The allure of cruising has captivated "first-timers"

  54. 04/02 14:01

    SkyUp Airlines: Two new connections to Athens and Corfu from Moldova

  55. 04/02 11:34

    Rethymno Hoteliers head | The upcoming tourist season is predicted to be "quite good"

  56. 04/02 11:25

    European Hotels: "Stop" on single-use plastic packaging from 2030

  57. 04/02 07:13

    Greek hotels: Revenues in 2024 soar 11% above 2023 - read the latest investments

  58. 04/02 06:58

    Filming at Kallimarmaro Stadium in Athens to create an electronic map

  59. 03/02 23:01

    Promoting Greek olive oil in the Austrian market

  60. 03/02 18:11

    Rhodes welcomes the first cruise ship for 2025

  61. 03/02 17:15

    Chania: Smart barriers to protect the Venetian port and its visitors

  62. 03/02 16:02

    Rhodes: The season kicks off on March 28, wounds from "Bora" storm remains

  63. 03/02 15:53

    GNTO: 4 ERMIS awards for Olympic campaign in France

  64. 03/02 15:08

    Promotion of Lesvos in Istanbul - Participation in EMITT 2025

  65. 03/02 14:48

    FedHATTA: Chinese New Year Celebration in Athens

  66. 03/02 13:14

    Wyndham Hotels: Agreement with Zafido Holding for a new hotel in Piraeus

  67. 03/02 12:25

    easyJet: New connection to Thessaloniki in summer 2025

  68. 03/02 11:03

    HolidayCheck: These are the 50 most popular Greek hotels in Germany for 2025

  69. 03/02 10:29

    Cruises to Chania make a positive first impression in 2025 - 1,347 visitors daily

  70. 03/02 06:38

    iAlonissos: Digital promotion of local natural and cultural attractions

  71. 03/02 06:25

    5 new hotel investments in Lefkada, Rhodes, Ios, Karystos and Trikala

  72. 02/02 20:08

    The travel profile of expatriates from Australia - the rescue of Rex

  73. 02/02 06:48

    Spanish tourists "vote" for Greek honey

  74. 01/02 13:58

    Tourism in Turkey beats expectations - 62 million arrivals, $61 billion in revenue in 2024

  75. 01/02 07:04

    Volotea: Codeshare cooperation with Aegean to run on 13 routes

  76. 31/01 18:11

    10 new hotel investments in Corfu, Rhodes, Paros, Ios, Skiathos, Samos, Kalambaka and Kranidi

  77. 31/01 17:49

    Booking.com | Hotels: Don't leave negative guest reviews unanswered

  78. 31/01 10:18

    The Region of Crete at the FITUR exhibition - Promising prospects from Spanish-speaking markets

  79. 31/01 10:15

    ITEP Survey: Hotel Performance stagnant in Greece in December

  80. 31/01 07:03

    Municipality of Agrinio reacts to photovoltaic plant in Kremaston Lake - threat to tourism

  81. 31/01 06:54

    Explosion of Turkish tourists in Lesvos, Chios, and Samos

  82. 31/01 06:07

    Mitsis Group: Donation of an architectural study to enhance a beachfront in Crete

  83. 31/01 00:02

    Commission: First comprehensive European strategy for tourism coming

  84. 30/01 23:08

    Greek Culture Ministers to attend European conference in support of Ukraine's heritage

  85. 30/01 18:58

    Cruise: Viking Libra to make maiden voyage in 2026 from Piraeus

  86. 30/01 17:56

    Record year in 2024 for international air transport – Now “flying” above 2019

  87. 30/01 17:50

    Accessible tourism on the beaches of the Municipality of Agios Vasilios, Crete

  88. 30/01 16:40

    Travel | London is now the top destination for Greeks abroad

  89. 30/01 16:23

    Aegean: 40% increase in available seats from Saudi Arabia in 2025

  90. 30/01 16:04

    UK Tourism | Lesser-known destinations and experiential travel the main trend in 2025

  91. 30/01 14:35

    Pancretan Association of Hotel Managers Seminars underway for 2025

  92. 30/01 13:22

    Airbnb is “sweeping” Europe - Demand is growing faster than supply in Greece

  93. 30/01 11:17

    Airbnb | 76 billion euros in revenue for hosts in Europe in 2024

  94. 30/01 11:09

    Investments | Lifestyle Hotels with branded residences and alternative accommodations in focus

  95. 30/01 10:30

    Greece's Ministry of Tourism honors Sir Stephen Fry

  96. 30/01 06:52

    3 new hotel investments in Rhodes, Chania and Arachova

  97. 30/01 06:45

    Tourism Observatory in the Region of Thessaly in Central Greece

  98. 30/01 06:40

    Networking of the municipality of Aristotle with the municipality of Valletta in Malta

  99. 30/01 06:16

    What will the exciting diving park in Stalis of Hersonissos be like

  100. 29/01 23:59

    Dynamic promotion of the Greek city of Thessaloniki in the Irish market