Roman stele with eagle and Greek inscription found in Manbij, Syria

[guy]

A stunning Roman-era stele has been found in Northern Syria:

🏛️ Discovery of a Roman Stele in Manbij, Syria

A 2,000-year-old Roman basalt stele was discovered in Manbij, a city in northern Syria historically called Hierapolis or “Sacred City.” The stele features:

An eagle holding a wreath, representing Roman imperial authority.

A Greek inscription indicating cultural blending during Roman rule.

The artifact was found near the cardamom market by a local resident and reported to the Directorate of Museums and Antiquities, which secured it for preservation and study.

🏺 Historical and Cultural Context

Manbij’s Ancient Significance: Once a significant Aramaic and Assyrian city, it thrived under the Seleucid dynasty and became a center for the worship of Atargatis, the Syrian fertility goddess.

Lucian of Samosata, a 2nd-century Syrian essayist, documented the city’s religious practices in his treatise De Dea Syria, written in Ionic Greek.

⚠️ Modern Challenges

Manbij has experienced extensive looting and antiquities smuggling, especially during the Syrian Civil War and under ISIS control.

 

 

 

 

 

https://archaeologymag.com/2025/08/roman-basalt-stele-unearthed-in-manbij

 

https://greekreporter.com/2025/08/23/two-thousand-year-old-stele-greek-inscriptions-syria/

Edited August 24, 2025 by guy