Roman-era athlete found in Turkey's west

MUĞLA – Doğan News Agency

DHA photo

A Roman-era athlete and a hand holding a ball have been found during the foundation excavation of a construction in the western province of Muğla’s Milas district. 

Historical artifacts were unearthed last year in a third degree archaeological site on Atatürk Boulevard. Then salvage excavations initiated by the Milas Museum revealed sculptures underground. 

In the style of famous Greek sculptor Lysoppos, the 1.43 meter marble sculpture was missing a head, right leg and arms. It is estimated that it was produced in the end of 4th century B.C. or the beginning of 3rd century B.C. 

An official statement said, “The muscular and more detailed nude male sculptures produced in the 5th century B.C. by Polykleitos were the basic sources of inspiration for the ones produced in the early years of the Hellenistic era. But this newly discovered sculpture in Milas has a softer, more natural style, unlike the hard style of the Classical era. This sculpture looks like an athlete sculpture produced by Lysippos towards the end of the 4th century B.C. Consequently, we can say that this thin, tall important sculpture is a Roman copy of the Hellenistic era.”

The excavations continue and it is estimated that the missing parts of the sculpture will be found as well.