Archaeologists in Turkey have unearthed a remarkable 1,800-year-old sarcophagus believed to have originally belonged to a Roman gladiator named Euphrates. However, instead of finding the remains of the gladiator, the excavation team discovered the bones of 12 individuals, suggesting that the tomb was repurposed approximately 200 years after its initial use.
A Roman sarcophagus depicting winged victories, captured barbarians and gorgons symbolizing victory over death 210 CE, PH๏τographed at the Walters Art Museum. Credit: Mary Harrsch, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
The sarcophagus was found within the ruins of a basilica on Ayasuluk Hill in İzmir Province, part of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus. Sinan Mimaroglu, an ᴀssociate professor of art history at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, led the excavation. He explained in an email to Live Science, “From the inscription on the tomb, we know that it was initially used for gladiators. The sarcophagus was built in the 3rd century CE.”
The remains inside the sarcophagus, however, date to the 5th century CE, indicating that it was later reused. The individuals buried in this later period, including both men and women, were likely of high social status. “The burials inside the church likely belong to the upper class or clergy, as it’s unlikely an ordinary person would be buried in such a meticulous manner within a church,” Mimaroglu told Turkiye Today. This suggests that the tomb had gained significance and was repurposed for individuals of prominence.
The discovery included Christian crosses engraved on both the lid and the interior of the stone coffin. These engravings appear to have been added during different periods, with three crosses dating to the 5th century and additional ones carved on the lid in the 8th century. The team is currently comparing these symbols to similar ones found in the region.
The sarcophagus lay buried just 8 inches (20 centimeters) beneath the basilica, which itself has a significant history. Originally a church dedicated to St. John, it was later transformed into a domed structure during the reign of Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I between CE 527 and 565. This transformation added further historical and religious significance to the site, which served as a burial ground.
The basilica’s importance as a burial site, combined with the meticulous care given to the graves within it, reinforces the notion that those buried there were of high social standing.
Despite the intriguing find, very little is known about the gladiator Euphrates beyond his name. His tomb, repurposed centuries after his death, reflects the rich and complex history of Ayasuluk Hill, which predates the founding of Ephesus and has seen many layers of human activity over millennia.
The discovery of the tomb, along with accompanying artifacts like mosaics and an ancient drainage system, adds yet another chapter to the history of this important archaeological site.
