Kibyra Excavations Uncover Imperial Portraits
In southwestern Turkey, at the ancient city of Kibyra, archaeologists have unearthed fragments of monumental marble statues representing Roman emperor Hadrian and empress Sabina. The reconstructed figure of Hadrian stands about 2.14 meters tall. The pieces are dated to roughly 130 CE, during Hadrian’s reign (117–138 CE). This discovery offers a fresh glimpse into how Roman rulers were commemorated in their eastern provinces.
What the Finds Reveal
Excavations led by Professor Dr. Şükrü Özüdoğru are focused on the Monumental City Gate, where the road from the necropolis entered the city. Researchers have recovered about twenty sculptural fragments, including arms, legs, and feet. A well-preserved portrait head of Hadrian was particularly important for identifying the figures. Hadrian is shown as a military commander, his cuirass bearing reliefs of a lion and an eagle. The marble used for the statues is connected to the Afyon-Deger and İsehisar regions.
The excavation team links the toppling of the statues to a major earthquake in 417 CE. Still, there are no inscriptions or other indications that Hadrian ever entered Kibyra. Vibia Sabina, a niece of Emperor Trajan, married Hadrian in 100 CE and had received the title Augusta by 128 CE. Her image appeared on Roman coins, and she joined Hadrian on some of his travels through the eastern Roman Empire.
Across Asia Minor, there were places dedicated to Sabina, including:
- Patara
- Tlos
- Rhodiopolis
- Hierapolis
- and others
These archaeological finds confirm the importance of both Hadrian and Sabina in Roman imperial history. An earlier discovery at Aspendos—a marble group of Asclepius and Telesphorus—also points to the region’s rich cultural heritage.
The newly found statues testify to Kibyra’s role in Roman history and culture and may aid research into architectural and cultural influences during Hadrian’s time. Further investigation at the site is expected to reveal more about life in the Roman Empire and the role of women like Sabina in its political and social life.