In Turkey, at the archaeological site of Laodicea in the Denizli district, a new discovery in the Western Theater complex has brought attention back to the monumental and decorative phases of stage architecture in Roman Asia Minor. As part of the ongoing excavation and restoration activities, a statue of Athena in white marble, about two meters high, was foundinside the body of the theater, in the stage area.
The announcement was released by Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy through his social channels, with direct reference to the archaeological value of the find and the stratigraphic context in which it is located. The find was located in the postskene sector, i.e., the outer wall of the stage, where the statue was found to be placed inside a rubble fill, positioned horizontally and with its face facing downward. The head has not yet been identified.
The Western Theater of Laodicea dates from the second century B.C. and features a structure articulated on three architectural levels, each characterized by sixteen columns. The stage layout accommodated between the columns a complex sculptural decoration composed of deities, figures of rulers and scenes from Homeric poems. The set of depictions includes episodes traceable to theOdyssey, including Odysseus’ return journey to Ithaca, his encounter with the Lestrigons, the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus, and the figure of the sea creature Scylla. Excavation campaigns conducted between 2024 and 2025 returned numerous sculptural fragments related to this iconographic program. The theater complex did not only respond to spectacular functions, but also to a precise narrative setting related to the literary and mythological culture of the period. Archaeological evidence indicates a strong integration of scenic architecture and mythic narrative, with a decorative layout designed as a visual support to epic traditions.
“We have signed another important discovery in Laodicea!” declares Minister Ersoy. "A new find in the ancient city has come to light...The work we are conducting in the Western Theater of Laodicea continues to bring traces of the past to the surface. On March 31, in the stage building, we unearthed a statue of Athena in white marble, about two meters high. This structure, which hosted the narratives of the Homeric poems, proves once again that it was also a center of cultural production in antiquity, while the work, reflecting the classical style of the Augustan period, stands out for its high artistic quality. With our Legacy for the Future vision, we continue to protect and pass on this unique heritage to future generations."
The Athena statue presents an articulated iconographic typology. The figure is depicted in a standing position on a circular base. Clothing includes a fine-weave sleeveless peplos accompanied by a cloak arranged around the figure. On the chest is visible the aegis with Medusa’s face and the presence of snakes, a recurring element in representations of the deity. The rendering of the fabric folds shows a high level of execution, with attention to the rendering of volume and the naturalness of the fabric’s movement.
One peculiarity concerns the workmanship of the back of the sculpture, which is unfinished. This feature is traced back to the original position of the statue, placed between the columns of the theater and thus visible only frontally. The technical fact confirms a specific purpose within the decorative program of the stage complex. From a stylistic point of view, the work is traced back to the Augustan age, between 27 B.C. and 14 A.D., a period in which a classical language characterized by formal balance and the revival of Hellenistic models reinterpreted in an imperial key was established.
The figure of Athena assumes within the context of Laodicea a specific value linked to the city’s manufacturing tradition. The center is known in ancient times for textile processing, an activity also attested by epigraphic sources. In this context, the deity takes on a significance connected to the military sphere and to the handicraft and weaving dimension, an area in which celebrations in his honor were organized. Excavation and restoration operations within the Western Theater appear to be active on an ongoing basis and, according to available information, have been conducted without scheduled interruptions since the beginning of 2026.
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| Turkey, two-meter-high statue of Athena discovered in Laodicea's Western Theater |
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