Unique King Solomon amulet discovery offers insight into ancient Anatolian beliefs
Archaeologists have uncovered a 1,600-year-old amulet in Turkey depicting King Solomon killing a demon. The amulet likely belonged to a cavalryman stationed in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis and is considered by researchers to be a unique artefact of Christian sacred art in Anatolia.
In Turkey, archaeologists have discovered an exceedingly rare amulet, dating back to the 5th century, made of bronze and depicting King Solomon on horseback spearing a demon. Solomon, the biblical king of Israel, was the son and successor of King David, renowned for his wisdom according to biblical tradition. As reported by Live Science, this is the first artefact of its kind found in Anatolia, which covers a significant part of modern-day Turkey.
Unique amulet from Turkey
On the front of the amulet, there is an inscription in ancient Greek, translated as: "Our Lord defeated evil." The back features the names of four angels: Azrael, Gabriel, Michael, and Israfel. According to Dr. Ersin Çelikbaş from Karabük University, who led the excavations, the amulet was both a religious symbol and a protective talisman.
"Solomon is an important figure in all three holy religions. While he is referred to as a ruler in the Torah and the Bible, he is also recognized as a prophet in Islam, is an important figure in all three monotheistic religions," explained Çelikbaş in a press statement. While archaeological sources about his reign are scarce, in Christian tradition, he is viewed as a symbol of power and protection.
Hadrianopolis, where the amulet was discovered, is an ancient city in the Paphlagonia region, on the northern coast of present-day Turkey. The city, established during Roman times in honour of Emperor Hadrian, thrived in the early Byzantine period. Excavations in this region have revealed animal mosaics, baths, churches, and fortifications, among other finds.
The amulet was uncovered in a building that may have served a military purpose. As Çelikbaş noted, earlier studies highlighted the presence of a cavalry unit in Hadrianopolis. "Prophet Solomon is also known as the commander of armies. We understand that he was also considered as a protective figure for the Roman and Byzantine cavalry in Hadrianopolis," added the archaeologist.
The artefact is dated to the 5th century when Hadrianopolis was part of the Byzantine Empire. Çelikbaş compared the find to a similar amulet discovered in Jerusalem, which may reflect the religious significance of Hadrianopolis in antiquity. The amulet is currently in a research laboratory, but there are plans to move it to a museum, where it will be accessible for public viewing.
