Analysis and Reassessment of Double-Crescent Symbols Purported to Represent Jewish Menorahs in Olbian Rough Cilicia
The Olba region in eastern Rough Cilicia is replete with ruins exhibiting the distinct feature of symbols carved in relief on architectural surfaces, beginning in the Hellenistic period. These so-called “Olbian Symbols,” associated with various deities, created a local tradition that continued throu...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Zeliha Gider Büyüközer
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Arkhaia Anatolika |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.arkhaiaanatolika.org/Makale.asp?dil=1&sid=125&did=25 |
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| Summary: | The Olba region in eastern Rough Cilicia is replete with ruins exhibiting the distinct feature of symbols carved in relief on architectural surfaces, beginning in the Hellenistic period. These so-called “Olbian Symbols,” associated with various deities, created a local tradition that continued through later periods until Christian crosses displaced the pagan symbols sometime in the Byzantine period. In this context, a unique symbol appeared between the late 2nd and early 5th centuries featuring a pair of lunate crescents supported by a stand and base, occasionally with a star above. Several scholars have interpreted this symbol, which we designate by the neutral term semeion, as a representation of a Jewish menorah and used its conjunction with other symbols to posit a Jewish-pagan syncretism in the region. This study presents the first systematic review and critical examination of the physical features, context with other symbols, and spatial distribution of all known semeion representations, including previously unpublished examples, to evaluate evidence for identification. Photogrammetric analysis conclusively demonstrates semeion reliefs do not conform to the shape nor function of a menorah. They invariably appear in pagan contexts, consistently in concert with the same two well-known symbols of Greco-Roman deities. Further, spatial analysis suggests they are distinct from the earlier “Olbian Symbols” both spatially and temporally. The re-evaluation and comparative evidence lead us to categorically reject the menorah identification and propose that the semeion represents a dual affiliation of two lunar deities sometime in the broad range of the late 2nd and early 5th centuries AD. |
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| ISSN: | 2651-4664 |