Silver Ishtar Pendant Found in Hellenistic City –

A silver pendant decorated with images and attributes of the Assyrian goddess Ishtar has been found in the ancient city of Amos near Turanc in southwestern Türkiye. The medallion is decorated with raised patterns and hammered dots, and has a pendant ring at the top to indicate that it is worn on a necklace. Part of the lower left quadrant is missing, but the lion’s ferocious roaring face, body, hind legs and tail are retained. On the back of the lion stands a female figure wearing a high headdress. The star is located behind her tiara.

The lion is the sacred animal of Ishtar. They are symbols of royalty, ferocity and strength. The Gate of Ishtar, built by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, is decorated with reliefs of lions, which figure prominently in the depiction of Ishtar. She often stands or rides on a lion, emphasizing her dominance over nature and monarchy.

Amos Island was settled in the 5th century BC by colonists from Rhodes (most likely from the city of Lindos). The worship of Ishtar predates it by far, and the site being excavated dates back to the Hellenistic period (about 2,200 years ago), so the pendant is evidence of the widespread cultural influence of this Mesopotamian god.

Associate Professor. In a speech to the media, the head of the excavation, Professor Mohammad Gulbuze, a faculty member at the Department of Archeology at Murasitki Kokman University, explained that the necklace showed that Amos had significant cultural, economic and commercial power.

He points out that in the seventh century BC, advanced cultural elements from the Near East began to spread to the Mediterranean through trade and military contacts. In this context, Amos seemed to stand out as a port city, well integrated into the political and economic trends of the time.