ChappsOct 4, 2023

Archaeological mystery!

The Roman-era marble figure on the left, below, was recently found in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. Note the red modius-style hats! Turkish officials have identified it as the 'Three Graces', but ... they all face forward, each carrying two torches. That's three-bodied Hekate's iconography. #archaeology 🤔

Thoughts? Why identify the figures as the Graces instead of Hekate?

Show threadCindyG
@Chapps
Maybe they think the Graces sound more appealing? To tourists?
Personally I prefer Hecate, and would rather go see her, and this looks like her to me (are there other representations of the Graces bearing torches? )
Oct 4, 2023 at 10:41pmWeb
Show threadChappsOct 6, 2023
@bxknits I wish I understood why the local archaeologists feel this represents the Three Graces. I just can't see it. There are tons of sculptures of Hekate in their museum, because that area used to be a center for Hekate worship, so it really seems odd. Somebody clearly made a mistake.