Archaeologists excavating Sillyon (Greek: Σύλλιον), an ancient Greek city later ruled by the Romans in what is now Turkey's Antalya province, have uncovered the tomb of Menodora (Greek: Μηνοδώρα), a second-century Roman-era Greek woman remembered for her immense wealth and extraordinary generosity. The discovery highlights how one of antiquity's richest women used her fortune to shape her city and ensure its survival.
The tomb was identified during excavations along Sillyon's main street, where researchers found a group of elite burials. One, set apart in a distinctive location, was attributed to Menodora.
Excavation director Associate Professor Murat Taskiran of Pamukkale University confirmed the identification through a 26-line inscription previously discovered in the city that records her extensive civic contributions.
Menodora's life was marked by loss. Historical sources note she lost her father, Megakles (Greek: Μεγακλής), at a young age, later her husband, Apollonios (Greek:Απολλώνιος), and eventually her son. Rather than withdrawing, she devoted her resources to Sillyon's revival.
📍 Antalya'nın Serik ilçesindeki Sillyon Antik Kenti'nde yürütülen kazılarda, Roma döneminde kente yaptığı bağışlarla bilinen Menodora'nın mezarı tespit edildi.
Çalışmalar Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı'nın Geleceğe Miras Projesi kapsamında, Pamukkale Üniversitesi'nden Doç. Dr.... pic.twitter.com/XZJAzpKLJb
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"She put her pain aside, devoted herself to her city, and spent the rest of her life working for its revival," Taskiran said. Her story illustrates how women in the Roman world could transform grief into public service and wield influence through philanthropy.
The inscription provides a detailed account of Menodora's achievements. She held a role comparable to a city council leader, managed the gymnasium -- a central institution for education and athletics -- and founded a charitable organization for children.
Her projects extended across the cityscape. She financed temples, baths, a stadium, and other monumental works that reshaped Sillyon into a thriving Roman city. Archaeologists estimate she spent around 300,000 denarii, an enormous sum in silver coins, making her one of the wealthiest and most generous female benefactors known from antiquity.
Sillyon's location made her contributions even more striking. The city stood atop steep hills about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of modern Antalya. Its difficult terrain required both engineering skill and financial resources to develop into an organized urban center.
Archaeologists say Menodora's vision aligned Sillyon with Roman urban planning principles, transforming a rugged settlement into a structured Mediterranean city. Her example shows "how a city could be rebuilt through the vision and determination of a woman," Taskiran said.
The discovery of Menodora's tomb highlights the significant role wealthy women played in civic life during the Roman Empire. Her philanthropy challenges assumptions about women's limited influence in antiquity and demonstrates how strategic generosity sustained Mediterranean cities.
Conservation and landscaping work around the tomb continues, with plans to help visitors understand how Roman elites were honored through monumental burials. The site adds to Sillyon's other preserved remains, including city gates, baths, and residential areas that trace its evolution from a Greek foundation to a Roman municipality.