Aspendos'un Aphrodite Kastnietis Kültü

Abstract

Aspendos is an ancient city which was located in the Pamphylia region in ancient times, and is located in the Belkis-Serik region of Antalya. It is known from the writings of Kallimachos and Strabon, and also drachmis that connected to Kallimachos’ story that the Aphrodite Kasnietis cult had been known to be present there with another by the name of Helen from 5 BC. The name of the goddess is written as “Aphroditai Kastnietides” on an altar belonging to the earlier Roman Period. There was no description of the goddess or cult until the Roman Empire Period. During the period of the Emperor Augustus, is the first time that descriptions mentioning the goddess and cult were found on coins, and these inscriptions continued to be in use until the period of Gallienus. In this study a catalogue was created to cover only the inscriptions found on coins. The typologies of the twin cult can be found in this catalogue, where a total of 17 different types are described. In the following sections, iconographic and chronological reviews of the twin cult are made utlising this typology. The typology was formulated following analysis of 92 coins. In these sections, the similarities and differences between this particular cult and Anatolian cults, especially iconographically, are examined. Since the descriptions of the Aphrodite Kastnietis are only seen on the coins, the moulds of the coins have also been inspected. Thus, the aim is to attempt to provide a clearer date of the cult, and furthermore, the relationship between the cult and coins. Aphrodite Kastnietis has previously been studied in scant detail. Missing data in the formulation of the presented arguments is most likely related to the fact that excavations at Aspendos are still ongoing. Once the excavations are completed and we obtain a greater volume of data, these ‘missing pieces’ of information should be present. It is anticipated that this study of the cult will be a helpful resource for those working on other Pamphylian cults.