Archaeologists unearthed this vestige in Turkey (1,800-year-old bronze military medal with the head of Medusa) in the ancient city of Perre, located in the province of Adiyaman in the south-east of the country.
It is an 1,800-year-old treasure that was discovered by Turkish archaeologists: a bronze military medal with the head of Medusa found in the ancient Turkish city of Perre in Turkey (also called Perrhe or Pirin), in the province of Adiyaman, reports Arkeonews. Also known as Gorgo in Greek mythology, Medusa was one of the three Gorgon sisters along with Euryale and Stheno. But Medusa was the only one to be mortal. And whoever looked at them was turned to stone.
A force against the evil eye
While in ancient Greek Medusa meant “guardian”, her face was very often used to symbolize protection and her image is similar to the evil eye, today used to ward off negative forces. Medusa was also used as an ancient amulet to protect people against evil spirits. Turning people to stone was one of their main features to ward off evil.
The Gorgons, Medusa in particular, were very often depicted on the armor of emperors and generals, but also on mosaic floors in Britain, Egypt and on the walls of Pompeii. Alexander the Great had one engraved on his armor as well. The legend also says that Athena (goddess of war and wisdom) placed a Gorgon on her shield to make her an even more formidable warrior.
Associated with a military ceremony
Athena also somehow popularized the face of Medusa by putting her severed head on her shield, and it then became a popular motif on defensive weapons, our colleagues recall. Zeus and other gods or goddesses had used his head on their weapons in Greek mythology. Excavations will continue in the region to try to find similar objects.
“The medal with the head of Medusa that was found appears to be a prize awarded to a soldier for his success,” confirmed Mehmet Alkan, director of the Adiyaman museum. “This is a medal that a soldier wears on his shield during a military ceremony. We found an 1,800-year-old military diploma during excavations last year, so we associate the medal with military service.” , he added.
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