In May 2023, archaeologists in Southern Turkey

In May 2023, archaeologists in Southern Turkey

In May 2023, archaeologists in Southern Turkey made an extraordinary find in the ancient city of Syedra—a marble foot, approximately 1.6 feet long, from a statue of Marcus Aurelius. This fragment, likely part of a life-sized or larger depiction, highlights the remarkable craftsmanship of Roman sculptors and the importance of imperial figures.
Syedra, a city on the edge of the Roman Empire, now gains renewed significance with this discovery, linking it directly to one of Rome’s most revered emperors. Marcus Aurelius, who ruled from 161 to 180 AD, was a powerful leader and a Stoic philosopher whose writings have influenced generations.
The survival of this statue fragment for nearly two millennia is both astonishing and rare. This discovery reconnects us with a pivotal period in history, offering a tangible link to the legacy of Marcus Aurelius and the expansive reach of the Roman Empire.