Five Different Roman Statues Discovered in the Ancient City of Perge

Excavations in the ancient city of Perge, known as the capital of the Pamphylia region, have uncovered five different Roman statues.

With a history that dates back to the 2nd millennium BC, Perge was referred to as “Parha” during the Hittite period. This ancient city showcases the influences of various cultures, including the Persians, Greeks, and Romans. Perge is located approximately 17 km from the city center of Antalya.

Excavations Continue Under the Future Heritage Project

As part of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Future Heritage Project, excavations conducted in Perge in 2025 have led to the discovery of five distinct statues. The General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums shared information about these significant findings on their social media accounts.

Features of the Discovered Statues

Statue of Aphrodite: This statue, approximately 2 meters tall, features the god of love, Eros, sitting on a dolphin at its base. Preliminary examinations suggest that this statue is a replica from the Roman Imperial Period, dating back to the 2nd century AD.

Draped Female Statue: Located next to the Aphrodite statue, this statue represents a standing, draped woman and stands at 1.87 meters tall. Initial assessments indicate that this statue exhibits characteristics from the Severan Period. Additionally, another draped female statue with similar features was discovered in two pieces.

Draped Male and Female Statues: During the excavations on the Eastern Street of Perge, a draped female statue and a draped male statue were found side by side, representing two other significant artifacts. These discoveries provide new insights into Perge’s sculptural tradition and contribute to understanding the social structure and artistic production processes of the period.