“Hero of antiquity. Archaeologists have found a tablet dedicated to an ancient Greek athlete October 19, 22:30 Share: Anemurium, founded by the Phoenicians in the 4th century BC, was an important port city on the Eastern Mediterranean trade route (Photo: Daniel Phelps) Author: Kira Borysikhina During Excavation of the ancient city of Anemurium in Mersin, Turkey, archaeologists made an important discovery – an inscription that is about 2,000 years old. Read also: It looks monumental. Archaeologists found”, — write on: ua.news
Founded by the Phoenicians in the 4th century BC, Anemurium was an important port city on the Eastern Mediterranean trade route (Photo: Daniel Phelps)
During the excavation of the ancient city of Anemurium in Mersin, Turkey, archaeologists made an important discovery – an inscription that is about 2,000 years old.
This artifact is dedicated to a wrestler named Kaikilianos who won first place in the second wrestling competition held every five years. The inscription, consisting of 13 lines, is 120 cm high and 50 cm wide.
Anemurium, founded by the Phoenicians in the 4th century BC, was an important port city on the Eastern Mediterranean trade route, especially during the Roman period. Due to its proximity to Cyprus and active trade, the city became famous not only for its resources, but also for its cultural life, including sporting events.
Professor Mehmet Tekocak, who led the excavations, expressed his excitement about the find. “This inscription is unique because it tells us about sports competitions organized by a man named Flavian in the 2nd century AD. Kaikilianos won the adult wrestling category, and his success was so significant that this artifact was dedicated to him.”
This find underlines the role of Anemurium as a training center for athletes in ancient times. The governor of Mersin, Ali Hamza Pehlivan, noted that the city was a lively cultural and sports center at that time, and awarding athletes demonstrates the high value attached to sports in the ancient era.
Excavations are ongoing, and archaeologists hope for new discoveries that will provide a better understanding of the sporting and cultural traditions of ancient Anemurium.