1600-Year-Old Text Describes Prophet Solomon Refreshing the Devil
- archaeologists in Türkiye have unearthed a rare Christian pendant dating back to the fifth century.
- The bronze pendant is unique, being the only one of its kind discovered in Anatolia, the region encompassing most of modern-day Türkiye.
- Both sides of the pendant feature inscriptions in ancient Greek.
Rare Christian Pendant Depicting king Solomon Found in Türkiye
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archaeologists in Türkiye have unearthed a rare Christian pendant dating back to the fifth century. The pendant depicts King Solomon, or the Prophet Sulaiman in Islam, riding a horse while piercing what is believed to be the devil.
The bronze pendant is unique, being the only one of its kind discovered in Anatolia, the region encompassing most of modern-day Türkiye.
Both sides of the pendant feature inscriptions in ancient Greek. One side, near the image of King Solomon, translates to our Lord defeated evil.
The other side bears the names of four angels: Azrael,Gabriel,Michael,adn Israfil (known as Izrail,Jibril,Micikil,and Israfil in Islam).
Ersin Çelikbaş, an archaeologist at Karabük University in Türkiye overseeing the excavation, described the pendant as a symbol of religion and power,
according to Live Science.
Çelikbaş added that the pendant likely served as a talisman, believed to offer protection from crime or danger.
While the Hebrew Bible identifies King solomon as the ruler of ancient Israel in the 10th century BC, archaeological evidence supporting this account remains limited. Çelikbaş believes this particular artifact is a Christian pendant.
Solomon is an crucial figure in three sacred religions,
Çelikbaş explained. Although he is called the ruler in the Torah and the Bible, he is also known as a prophet in Islam. The depiction of Solomon in pendants surprised us and revealed the importance of the artifact for Anatolian archeology.
The pendant was discovered during excavations in Hadrianopolis, an ancient settlement in Paphlagonia, a region in northern Türkiye along the black Sea coast. Hadrianopolis flourished as a city under Roman rule.
Named in honor of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who reigned from 117 to 138 AD, Hadrianopolis was rebuilt during the early Byzantine period. The site is located near the modern city of Karabük.
Hadrianopolis is renowned for its intricate animal mosaics. Excavations have uncovered baths, churches, fortresses, burial sites, a theater, villas, and other structures.
The pendant was found within a building possibly linked to military activities, although its precise function remains unclear.
In our previous excavation, we have resolute the existence of the cavalry unit here,
Çelikbaş stated.
He added,The Prophet Sulaiman is also known as the Army Commander. We understand that he is also considered a protective figure for the Roman cavalry and the Byzantine in hadrianopolis.
Çelikbaş suggests the pendant may have belonged to a cavalry soldier. Based on the archaeological layer in which it was found, the artifact is estimated to date back to the fifth century, when Hadrianopolis was part of the Byzantine Empire.
Emperor Constantine divided the Roman Empire, leading to the formation of the Byzantine Empire in 330 AD.
While this is the first such pendant discovered in Anatolia, Çelikbaş noted the existence of similar pendants previously found in Jerusalem.
The existence of similar artifacts in these two distant locations shows that Hadrianopolis is an important religious center in ancient times,
he concluded.
Rare Christian Pendant Depicting king Solomon Found in Türkiye: A Q&A
This Q&A-style article explores the discovery of a rare Christian pendant in Türkiye depicting King Solomon, its importance, and the ancient context surrounding it.
Key questions and answers
Q: What was recently discovered in Türkiye?
A: Archaeologists in Türkiye unearthed a rare Christian pendant dating back to the fifth century. This unique bronze pendant is the only one of its kind discovered in Anatolia and depicts King Solomon, or the Prophet Sulaiman in Islam, riding a horse while piercing what is believed to be the devil.
Q: Where was the pendant found?
A: The pendant was discovered during excavations in Hadrianopolis, an ancient settlement in Paphlagonia, a region in northern Türkiye along the Black Sea coast.
Q: What is critically important about Hadrianopolis?
A: Hadrianopolis flourished under Roman rule and was rebuilt during the early Byzantine period. The site is known for its intricate animal mosaics, and the pendant was found within a building possibly linked to military activities.
Q: What does the pendant depict and what do the inscriptions say?
A: The pendant depicts King Solomon on horseback defeating the devil. The image is accompanied by inscriptions in ancient Greek on both sides:
On the side with King Solomon: The inscription says “Our Lord defeated evil”.
On the reverse: The names of four angels: Azrael, Gabriel, Michael, and Israfil.
Q: Why is this pendant considered unique?
A: The pendant is unique because it is the only one of its kind discovered in Anatolia, the region encompassing most of modern-day Türkiye. Also, this is the first such pendant found in Anatolia.
Q: What is the estimated date of the pendant?
A: Based on the archaeological layer in which it was found, the artifact is estimated to date back to the fifth century, when Hadrianopolis was part of the byzantine Empire.
Q: What is the significance of King Solomon in different religions?
A: King Solomon is a crucial figure in three sacred religions:
In the Hebrew Bible: He is identified as the ruler of ancient Israel in the 10th century BC.
In islam: He is known as a prophet (Prophet Sulaiman).
In Christianity*: The artwork is believed to be a Christian pendant.
Q: What do experts believe was the purpose of this pendant?
A: ersin Çelikbaş, the archaeologist overseeing the excavation, described the pendant as “a symbol of religion and power” and believes it likely served as a talisman, offering protection from danger or crime. The pendant may have belonged to a cavalry soldier, as the Prophet Sulaiman was also known as an Army Commander and considered a protective figure for the Roman and byzantine cavalry.
Q: Have similar artifacts been found elsewhere?
A: While this is the first such pendant discovered in anatolia, similar pendants have been found in Jerusalem. This suggests that Hadrianopolis was an crucial religious center in ancient times.
Hadrianopolis: Key Facts
| Feature | Description |
| ———————– | —————————————————————————— |
| Location | Paphlagonia, northern Türkiye, Black Sea coast |
| Ancient Name | Hadrianopolis |
| reigning Emperor | 117–138 AD; Roman Emperor Hadrian |
| Period of Growth | roman Rule, rebuilt during the early Byzantine period; 5th Century, Byzantine Empire |
| Notable Features | Animal mosaics, baths, churches, fortresses, burial sites, a theater, villas |