Stunning 2,400-Year-Old Mask Of God Dionysus Unearthed In Ancient City Of Daskyleion

Jan Bartek – MessageToEagle.com – A stunning 2,400-year-old terracotta mask of God Dionysus has been discovered in an old city today known as Daskyleion.

Daskyleion, also known as Dascylus, was a town in Anatolia some 30 kilometers inland from the coast of the Propontis, at modern Ergili, Turkey. Its site was rediscovered in 1952 and has since been excavated.

Archaeologists are slowly finding precious artifacts and ruins that shed light on the town’s ancient history.

Credit: Public Domain – Mossmaps, CC BY-SA 4.0 

The recent find reported by archaeologist Kaan Iren, who heads the excavation is a precious, terracotta mask dating back nearly 2,400 years. Made in the image of Greek God Dionysus, it is most likely a votive mask.

Associated with wine, music, ritual madness, ecstasy, and theater, the Greek party god Dionysus was very popular in ancient Greece.

As previously discussed on Ancient Pages, the history of the Greek theatre started with festivals held in honor of their gods honoring their gods. God Dionysus, was honored with a festival called by “City Dionysia”. In the days of Solon, people were often to be seen wandering around the streets during the festival of Di-o-ny´sus, god of wine. Interestingly, people were greatly amused by the rude songs and dances ancient Greeks later regretted inventing theater.

A 2,400-year-old terracotta mask of God Dionysus has been discovered in an old city today known as Daskyleion. Credit: Caraa/Twitter

Legend has it that wearing a mask pays homage to Dionysus, the Greek god of carnivals and masquerades, by allowing you to free yourself from secret desires and buried regrets.

Dionysos is said to have concealed both his identity and his power and is considered a patron of the arts.

The terracotta mask is not the only discovery made in the region lately.

According to Hurriyet Daily News, earlier this year “a cellar was unearthed in the Lydian kitchen in the city’s acropolis.”

“Work continues to obtain seeds and other organic parts from the excavated soil in the Lydian kitchen and its surroundings through a flotation process,” Iren explained.

Through more research, the cuisine and eating habits of the region from 2,700 years ago will be better understood, the archeologist said.

Ancient ruins of Daskyleion. Credit: Haber Kaos

In the seventh century BC, the city was named Daskyleion when the famous Lydian King, Daskylos, came to the city from Sardis due to dynastic quarrels, according to Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism website. His son Gyges was born in Daskyleion, and later recalled to Lydia.

After Gyges became the king of Lydia, the city was renamed Daskyleion – the place of Daskylos – around 650 BC.

Written by Jan Bartek – MessageToEagle.com – AncientPages.com Staff Writer