What does Olympus tell us?

The vaulted monumental tombs, which were unearthed as a result of rescue excavations performed by the Antalya Archaeological Museum in 1990, were dated to the 2nd century AD. The sarcophagus placed on a podium in a room carved out of rock was broken. The inscription on it reads: “Aurelius Zosimos, son of Euporistos, had the structure built for himself, his mother, his wife, his children, his grandchildren and his uncle Eudemos.” Following the mosaic-covered corridor, stairs leading to the second floor were reached. Two more sarcophagi were found. Here was the following inscription: “Marcus Aurelius Zosimos of Olympus, son of Euporistos, I had the sarcophagus made for myself and my wife Auelius Arete and our daughter Aurelia Olypias and our sons Aurelius and Euporistos and their descendants. I am not to be buried in another. He/she shall pay a thousand denarii as a sacred penalty, and the informer shall receive a third share.”

This tomb, called the Captain Eudemos Sarcophagus, had a ship relief on it. A relief of Aphrodite was visible on the stern of the boat, which had no sails, masts or oars. Another inscription was present in the middle: “I am Eudemos, I know because I was a captain. The path leading from one Pontus to the other among the waves, the discovery of the Palace Athena. The city of the Bithynians, Chalcedon, and all its people, decided that I should be their citizen. My lucky country deemed me worthy and gave me positions. The Lycians did the same and made me a member of their council of elders.” Another inscription was found next to it:

“The ship entered the last port and anchored. Never to be released, for there is no longer any help from wind or sunlight. After leaving the lightbearing dawn, Captain Eudemos was buried there. His ship, which is as short-lived as sunlight, is like a broken wave.”

When the magnificent ship mosaic unearthed in front of Captain Eudemos’ sarcophagus was combined with this poem, a message from two thousand years ago also found its target. Captaincy was also a profession then. At that time, sailors were seen as being inseparable from the boats they owned. Back then, too, the sea made those who lived with it wise, rich, and respected. Do you hear it? Captain Eudemos Sarcophagus in Olympos is whispering of the immutability of the relationship between people and the sea.