Archaeologists have uncovered a mosaic with a rare depiction of a river god in the ancient Greek city of Aspendos, in southern Turkey’s Antalya province. The mosaic dates to the 3rd century A.D. and has a central panel featuring a youthful Eurymedon, personification of the river the city was built on.
The founding legend of Aspendos dates the city back to 1000 B.C. when it was established by Greek colonists from Argos. Whatever the kernel truth in that origin story, by the 5th century B.C., Aspendos was minting its own silver coins.
The figural panel depicts Eurymedon reclining the river, his arm propped on an amphora that has water flowing out of its mouth into the river. He is draped in a robe of vivid moss green, and fish swim in front of his extended leg. He holds a river reed in his right hand, and wears a crown of reeds or grasses. A variety of geometric patterns border the panel, including guilloche, floral scrolls and triangles, squares and peltas. A second large panel consists only of black and white geometric designs.
The structure the mosaic adorns is believed to have been a pool when it was built in the 3rd century. It was later divided into rooms after the building was damaged in an earthquake in 262 A.D.
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