In this paper, the marble head of a young man, reportedly unearthed in 1986 in Sillyon (ancient Pamphylia, modern-day Antalya, Türkiye), is examined. The head is currently housed in the Antalya Museum. The head, crafted from white-greyish marble and measuring 47.5 cm in height, depicts a youthful, clean-shaven man with distinct physiognomic features. An oval face with deep-set almond-shaped eyes gazes upward, and a unique arrangement of wavy hair strands forms an atypical anastole. The sharp rightward turn of the neck and the remnant of a chlamys stand out. Stylistic analysis and analogy suggest that the head should be associated with known portraits of Alexander the Great, particularly early depictions of him as a crown prince. Yet deviations in hairstyle and neck posture suggest a posthumous reinterpretation. Technical features and drill marks suggest a production date in the 2nd century BC, potentially during the period of the Diadochi.
We would like to thank Mustafa Demirel, director of the Antalya Museum for the permission and opportunity to study of this head. Our sincere thanks also go to the vice director, an always collaborative and helpful colleague,
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Hellenistic Period Archeology, History of Old Asia Minor |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Submission Date | October 15, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | January 28, 2025 |
| Publication Date | December 26, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Issue: 28 |
Submission Date for ADALYA
Manuscript submissions for the 29th issue of Adalya (2026) will be accepted between Wednesday, 1 October 2025, and Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
Please submit your articles to the email address adalya@ku.edu.tr. Submissions via post or courier will not be accepted. All submissions must be received by the end of March.