A 2,000-year-old white marble statue of the goddess Athena has been uncovered during excavation work in the ancient city of Laodicea in Turkey. The sculpture was found lying face down in rubble in a theatre, and although the head and arms are yet to be recovered, archaeologists said the surviving structure is notable for both its size and craftsmanship.
Exceptional Craftsmanship and Design
Highlights include a finely detailed breastplate adorned with the head of the gorgon Medusa and intricately draped clothing, with a cloak around the neck. The detailed folds of the garment and the naturalistic texture of the fabric point to a high level of artistic skill. Archaeologists also noted that the rear of the 6ft (two metre) tall statue was left rough, indicating it was designed to be positioned between columns – a common practice in ancient theatre decoration. The piece is thought to reflect the classical artistic style of the Augustan period, spanning 27 BC to AD 14.
Official Announcement
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkey’s culture and tourism minister, announced the find and said it was a ‘significant addition’ to the ancient city’s rich archaeological record. ‘On March 31, we unveiled a statue of Athena, approximately two metres long and made of white marble, in the theatre building,’ he added. ‘This structure, which served as the setting for Homer’s epics, reveals its central role in cultural storytelling during antiquity, while the work, reflecting the classical style of the Augustan period, stands out with its high artistic quality.’
Historical Context of Laodicea
The site, located in Denizli Province, is regarded as one of the region’s most important cultural heritage areas, with ongoing excavation and restoration work continuing to reveal new insights into life in the ancient world. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, the Western Theatre’s stage building features a three-storey design with 16 columns on each level. The space was once richly decorated with statues of gods, rulers and scenes drawn from the epics of Homer. These included depictions of episodes such as Odysseus’s encounters with the Laestrygonians, the Cyclops Polyphemus and the sea monster Scylla – suggesting the theatre played a role not only in performance but also in preserving and retelling cultural narratives.
Athena's Significance
Athena was the Greek goddess of war, wisdom and handcraft, who sprang fully formed from the forehead of Zeus. She is often depicted wearing armour with the protective symbol of the Gorgon’s head, as seen on the statue found in Laodicea. The city was known in antiquity as a centre of textile production and its residents may have venerated Athena more for her role as a weaver than as a warrior.
Ongoing Excavations and Future Plans
Excavations at the site have intensified in recent years, with numerous sculptures linked to Homeric narratives uncovered during work carried out between 2024 and 2025. Officials say restoration efforts at the Western Theatre will continue throughout 2026, as archaeologists work to preserve and better understand one of the ancient world’s most culturally rich sites.
