During archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Aspendos in the Serik district of Antalya, a rare mosaic dating back to the 3rd century AD depicting the river god Eurymedon was unearthed.
Believed to have been founded around 1000 BC by Greek colonists from Argos, Aspendos was an important trading center in antiquity, enriched by its trade in salt, olive oil, and timber thanks to its strategic location on the banks of the Eurymedon River (now Köprüçay). Following Lydian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman rule, the city came under Byzantine control and, in the 13th century, under the rule of the Anatolian Seljuk State.
The mosaic was found in the East Square of Theatre Avenue, which connects to the theatre to the acropolis. Researched say the mosaic floor is approximately 6 meters wide and 25 meters long, but so far only 7.5 meters of it has been discovered.
The mosaic depicts the river god with reed leaves on his head and in his hand. He is shown leaning against an amphora from which water is pouring, symbolising the bounty of nature and the life-giving power of water. The figure is accompanied by fish swimming in opposite directions in the river. These fish add vibrancy to the scene while also reflecting the richness of the aquatic world.
Enriched with reeds, amphora, and fish, this composition servers both as a decorative ornament and a complete allegory of the river-nature-life triad. Archaeologists believe the mosaics originally adorned a pool structure, but after an earthquake in 262 AD, the structure was divided into rooms and used for different purposes.
Although river gods are frequently depicted in Greek and Roman art, such portrayals are quite rare in mosaics from Anatolia. Researchers say that the depiction of Eurymedon reflects not only the geographical features of the region, but also the local identity of ancient Aspendos.