Altar of Cybele, Sardis
The Altar of Cybele at Sardis dates from the late 7th century to mid-6th century, BC, during the time of King Alyattes and his son Croesus. Cybele was the ancient Anatolian Mother Goddess who was worshipped throughout this region.
The altar faces east in the center of the Sardis archaeological site, next to an area used for refining gold panned from the river. It is flanked by crouching lions, the animals sacred to Cybele - these have been reconstructed by archaeologists.
Sources
- Bernard McDonagh, Blue Guide Turkey 3rd ed. (2001), 199.
- Clyde E. Fant and Mitchell G. Reddish, A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey (2003), 312.
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