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A Hellenistic Ruler Portrait from Sillyon in Pamphylia: A New Head of Alexander the Great?

Year 2025, Issue: 28, 47 - 57, 26.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.47589/adalya.1848874

Abstract

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.

Thanks

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,

References

  • Akçay Güven, B. 2015. “Pamphylia Bölgesi Roma Dönemi Portreciliği.” Ph.D. diss., Istanbul University.
  • Bailie, J.K. 1846. Fasciculus inscriptionum, graecarum potissimum, quas apud sedes celeberrimas Asianas chartis mandatas, et nunc denuo instauratas notisque tum criticis tum exegeticis instructas. Dublin: Hodges and Smith / London: J. G. F. and J. Rivington.
  • Bieber, M. 1964. Alexander the Great in Greek and Roman Art. Chicago: Argonaut.
  • Boardman, J. 2019. Alexander the Great. From His Death to the Present Day. Princeton / Oxford: Princeton University Press.
  • Brixhe, C. 1966. “Une tablette de juge d’origine probablement pamphylienne.” BCH 90.2:653-63.

Year 2025, Issue: 28, 47 - 57, 26.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.47589/adalya.1848874

Abstract

References

  • Akçay Güven, B. 2015. “Pamphylia Bölgesi Roma Dönemi Portreciliği.” Ph.D. diss., Istanbul University.
  • Bailie, J.K. 1846. Fasciculus inscriptionum, graecarum potissimum, quas apud sedes celeberrimas Asianas chartis mandatas, et nunc denuo instauratas notisque tum criticis tum exegeticis instructas. Dublin: Hodges and Smith / London: J. G. F. and J. Rivington.
  • Bieber, M. 1964. Alexander the Great in Greek and Roman Art. Chicago: Argonaut.
  • Boardman, J. 2019. Alexander the Great. From His Death to the Present Day. Princeton / Oxford: Princeton University Press.
  • Brixhe, C. 1966. “Une tablette de juge d’origine probablement pamphylienne.” BCH 90.2:653-63.

Year 2025, Issue: 28, 47 - 57, 26.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.47589/adalya.1848874

Abstract

References

  • Akçay Güven, B. 2015. “Pamphylia Bölgesi Roma Dönemi Portreciliği.” Ph.D. diss., Istanbul University.
  • Bailie, J.K. 1846. Fasciculus inscriptionum, graecarum potissimum, quas apud sedes celeberrimas Asianas chartis mandatas, et nunc denuo instauratas notisque tum criticis tum exegeticis instructas. Dublin: Hodges and Smith / London: J. G. F. and J. Rivington.
  • Bieber, M. 1964. Alexander the Great in Greek and Roman Art. Chicago: Argonaut.
  • Boardman, J. 2019. Alexander the Great. From His Death to the Present Day. Princeton / Oxford: Princeton University Press.
  • Brixhe, C. 1966. “Une tablette de juge d’origine probablement pamphylienne.” BCH 90.2:653-63.

Year 2025, Issue: 28, 47 - 57, 26.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.47589/adalya.1848874

Abstract

References

  • Akçay Güven, B. 2015. “Pamphylia Bölgesi Roma Dönemi Portreciliği.” Ph.D. diss., Istanbul University.
  • Bailie, J.K. 1846. Fasciculus inscriptionum, graecarum potissimum, quas apud sedes celeberrimas Asianas chartis mandatas, et nunc denuo instauratas notisque tum criticis tum exegeticis instructas. Dublin: Hodges and Smith / London: J. G. F. and J. Rivington.
  • Bieber, M. 1964. Alexander the Great in Greek and Roman Art. Chicago: Argonaut.
  • Boardman, J. 2019. Alexander the Great. From His Death to the Present Day. Princeton / Oxford: Princeton University Press.
  • Brixhe, C. 1966. “Une tablette de juge d’origine probablement pamphylienne.” BCH 90.2:653-63.
There are 5 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Hellenistic Period Archeology, History of Old Asia Minor
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Buket Akçay Güven 0000-0002-8156-0434

Murat Taşkıran 0000-0002-5537-6457

Submission Date October 15, 2024
Acceptance Date January 28, 2025
Publication Date December 26, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Issue: 28

Cite

Chicago Akçay Güven, Buket, and Murat Taşkıran. “A Hellenistic Ruler Portrait from Sillyon in Pamphylia: A New Head of Alexander the Great?”. Adalya, no. 28 (December 2025): 47-57. https://doi.org/10.47589/adalya.1848874.

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