Papers by Eleni T . Mentesidou
Mare Ponticum, 2022
Sinope was the first Milesian colony at the south coast of Euxinus Pontus that evolved into the b... more Sinope was the first Milesian colony at the south coast of Euxinus Pontus that evolved into the biggest economic, political, and cultural center of the region. The polis minted its first coinage as early as the 5 th c. BC. At the end of the 5 th c. BC, or slightly later, the second type of the Sinopean coins started circulating, replacing the first one. In these new coins, a female head turned to the right was depicted on the reverse. The figure has been identified as the Nymph Sinope. In the present paper we shall attempt, through the comparative and syncretic study of the ancient written sources, the archaeological evidence, and the iconography of the female portrait of the Sinopean coins, to suggest a new identification of the depicted figure.
The Black Sea Region in the Context if the Roman Empire, 2022
This paper presents Roman tombs and grave findings that the recent archaeological investigation h... more This paper presents Roman tombs and grave findings that the recent archaeological investigation have brought to light. The study of the archaeological material aims to shed light on the economic and cultural life of Amisos during the Roman period.
Το Αρχαιολογικό Έργο στη Μακεδονία και στη Θράκη 26, 2012
Τῷ διδασκάλῳ Τιμητικός τόμος για τον καθηγητή Ιωάννη Ακαμάτη, 2019
According to Tacitus and Plutarch, Ptolemy had dreamed of god Sarapis, who ordered him to transfe... more According to Tacitus and Plutarch, Ptolemy had dreamed of god Sarapis, who ordered him to transfer his statue from Sinope to Alexandria (Tacitus, Histories IV.83-84. Plutarch, De Iside et Osiride 28). Based on these written sources, D. M. Robinson, alleged the existence of a Sarapis temple in Sinope. The discovery of a temple at the center of the current city of Sinop by E. Akurgal and L. Budde, confirmed, according to the excavators Robinson’s hypothesis. The identification of the temple was never questioned until recently. Therefore, the temple became known in the bibliography as the ‘Sarapis temple’ of Sinope.
However, the study of the archaeological findings and the written sources indicate that the temple could not have been dedicated to Sarapis cult, at least not before the Roman Imperial period. The temple’s first phase dates back to the Archaic period. A phase of the Classical period (4th c. B.C) has been also recognized. On the other hand, Sarapis presence in Sinope is attested only after the 1st c. A.D. Moreover, Sarapis cult was introduced by Ptolemy I in Alexandria and diffused in the Hellenistic world at the beginning of the 3rd c. B.C. Consequently, the temple of Sinope couldn’t have been dedicated to Sarapis, before the introduction of the cult and its spread in the city of the south coast of the Black Sea. Therefore, a comprehensive and systematic study of the written sources and the archaeological findings is required for the better understanding and identification of Sinope’s temple.
International Symposium on Sinope and Black Sea Archaeology “Ancient Sinope and the Black Sea”, 13 - 15 October 2017 Sinop, 2019
The present paper focuses on the cult of Kybele in Sinope. Particularly, it presents a study of a... more The present paper focuses on the cult of Kybele in Sinope. Particularly, it presents a study of a naiskos type offering from Sinop Archaeological Museum. The comparative study of the naiskos from Sinope with offerings and rock–cut monuments dedicated to Kybele from Greece mainland and Asia Minor, demonstrate the unique character of the cult and the culture of the Sinopeans that follows doth the Greek and the Anatolian traditions
Πόντος. Θέματα Λαογραφίας του Ποντιακού Ελληνισμού. , 2008
The Medieval Settlement at Komana / Komana’da Ortaçağ Yerleşimi , 2015
This paper is a preliminary study on the temple state cults of Komana. The aim of this research i... more This paper is a preliminary study on the temple state cults of Komana. The aim of this research is to present the gods worshiped at the Pontic sanctuary through the study of ancient written sources and the archaeological materials. Particular emphasis is given to Theos Hypsistos cult, which was testified from a recently found Roman period dedicatory inscription at Hamamtepe excavation.
Προσεγγίσεις στην Ιστορία του Ευξείνου Πόντου, 2011
Uploads
Papers by Eleni T . Mentesidou
However, the study of the archaeological findings and the written sources indicate that the temple could not have been dedicated to Sarapis cult, at least not before the Roman Imperial period. The temple’s first phase dates back to the Archaic period. A phase of the Classical period (4th c. B.C) has been also recognized. On the other hand, Sarapis presence in Sinope is attested only after the 1st c. A.D. Moreover, Sarapis cult was introduced by Ptolemy I in Alexandria and diffused in the Hellenistic world at the beginning of the 3rd c. B.C. Consequently, the temple of Sinope couldn’t have been dedicated to Sarapis, before the introduction of the cult and its spread in the city of the south coast of the Black Sea. Therefore, a comprehensive and systematic study of the written sources and the archaeological findings is required for the better understanding and identification of Sinope’s temple.
However, the study of the archaeological findings and the written sources indicate that the temple could not have been dedicated to Sarapis cult, at least not before the Roman Imperial period. The temple’s first phase dates back to the Archaic period. A phase of the Classical period (4th c. B.C) has been also recognized. On the other hand, Sarapis presence in Sinope is attested only after the 1st c. A.D. Moreover, Sarapis cult was introduced by Ptolemy I in Alexandria and diffused in the Hellenistic world at the beginning of the 3rd c. B.C. Consequently, the temple of Sinope couldn’t have been dedicated to Sarapis, before the introduction of the cult and its spread in the city of the south coast of the Black Sea. Therefore, a comprehensive and systematic study of the written sources and the archaeological findings is required for the better understanding and identification of Sinope’s temple.