The Phenomen of Anthropomorphic idol shaped Steles in the Greek apoikia

Year 2025, Issue: 5, 1 - 13, 01.04.2025

Roman Stoyanov

Abstract

This article focuses on the problems of localization, cultural interpretation, and the development of the tradition of using these monuments within the regions of Greek colonization along the coasts of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. In the northern Black Sea region, the reliefs are divided into two types. The first type includes tombstones in the form of human busts in high relief (Fig. 1. 1). The second type includes tombstones with anthropomorphic images in low relief or cut by lines (Fig. 1. 2). Sculptural groups are represented by stelae with a round or oval "head" on a rectangular or trapezoidal base and paired busts with a common "body type" (Fig. 1. 3-4). The combination of an anthropomorphic stele or relief with a rectangular stele of the "Greek type" has only been recorded in Tauric Chersonesos (Figs. 2. 1-3). Another region where anthropomorphic sculpture was widespread is Anatolia. Idol-like anthropomorphic stelae and reliefs have been found in Phrygia since prehistoric times (Fig. 3. 1-2). Findings of such mo-numents in Greek necropolises in the region are extremely rare. One stele was discovered outside the necropolis of Assos (Fig. 3. 3-4). Differences in the form and semantics of the monuments within these regions indicate the interrelated development of this type of sculpture. Furthermore, in each of the identified regi-ons, anthropomorphic stelae and reliefs exemplify intercultural interaction and communication. The local characteristics of these monuments highlight their originality and allow us to tentatively trace the extent and nature of cultural transformations in different parts of the ancient world during the 7th to 2nd centuries BC.

Keywords

Anatolia, anthropomorphic sculpture, Black Sea Region, Mother Goddess, tombstones.

Grek apoikia'sında Antropomorfik İdol Biçimli Stel Olgusu

Abstract

Bu makale, Akdeniz ve Karadeniz kıyıları boyunca Yunan kolonizasyon bölgelerindeki anıtların yerelleştirilmesi, kültürel yorumlanması ve gelişimiyle ilgili sorunlara odaklanmaktadır. Kuzey Karadeniz bölgesinde, kabartmalar iki ana kategoriye ayrıldığı görülmektedir. İlk kategoride, yüksek kabartmalı insan büstlerine sahip mezar taşları yer alır (Fig. 1. 1). İkinci kategoride ise alçak kabartma veya çizgisel işlenmiş antropomorfik resimler bulunan mezar taşları yeralır (Fig. 1. 2). Heykelsel gruplar, dikdörtgen veya yamuk bir taban üzerinde yuvarlak veya oval bir "baş" ile temsil edilen steller ve ortak bir "vücut tipi" ile eşleştirilmiş büstler tarafından temsil edilmektedir (Fig. 1. 3-4). Antropomorfik bir stel veya kabartma ile "Yunan tipi" dikdörtgen bir stel kombinasyonu sadece Taurik Chersonesos'ta kaydedilmiştir (Fig. 2. 1-3). Antropomorfik heykeltıraşlık eserlerin yaygın olduğu başka bir bölge de Anadolu'dur. İdol benzeri antropomorfik steller ve kabartmalar, Frigya'dan tarih öncesinden beri bilinmektedir (Fig. 3. 1-2). Bölgedeki Grek nekropolislerinde bu tür anıtlara dair bulgular son derece nadirdir. Assos'un nekropolisinin dışında başka bir yerden bu tarzda bir stel bulunmamıştır (Fig. 3. 3-4). Bu bölgelerdeki anıtların biçim ve anlamındaki farklılıklar, bu heykel türünün birbirleriyle ilişkili gelişimini işaret etmektedir. Ayrıca, belirlenen her bölgede, antropomorfik steller ve kabartmalar, kültürler arası etkileşimi ve iletişimi örneklendirir. Bu anıtların yerel özellikleri, onların özgünlüğünü vurgularken, MÖ 7.-2. yüzyıllar arasında antik dünyanın farklı bölgelerindeki kültürel dönüşümlerin boyutu ile doğasını belirlememize de olanak tanır.

Keywords

Anadolu, antropomorfik heykel, Karadeniz Bölgesi, Ana Tanrıça, mezar taşları.

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