Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:51 AM Sayfa
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Necklace with chain pendants. Gold and glass. Uflak Museum.
Lydian Culture, Art and Architecture
The Lydians, who subjugated all of Western Anatolia from the 7 th
century onwards, up to the arc of the River K›z›l›rmak, reigned over very
rich and fertile lands in terms of natural sources. They created many
goods using clay from clay seams containing large amounts of mica, such
as potteries as well as tiles. They used the marble seams in the Tmolos
Mountains (Bozda¤lar) to create engravings and sarcophagi.
What gave the Kingdom of Lydia an important political position in those
years was that gold was found in the sediments of the Paktalos Stream
(Sart Çay›). Ancient authors such as Strabon and Plinius believed that all
of Lydia’s gold was obtained from this stream. Pieces of gold found during
the geological research conducted today confirm the ancient authors.
The Mermnad Dynasty turned the capital Sardes into a city admired by all
of the antique world and the Lydians created successful works during this
period. For example, the School of Sardes-which is known for its distinct
characteristics-was among the biggest sculpture schools of Eastern
Greece. Sculptors and architects coming from Ionia and art ambassadors
coming from the east were gathered in Sardes and a cosmopolitan
environment was created. Thus the Greek effect seen in the Lydian fine
arts combined with the Lydian region and created a new form. Power and