Expert: Maria - 4/11/2004

Question
It´s so happens that I found a little hellenistic statue (Cybele)in Pythagorion 3 years ago which I of course gave to the "Archaeological Boss" there. I wonder if there´s anywhere on the internet where I can read and see this little goddess,like a archaeological library about discoverys on Samos?-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
´Hello!!  I´m wondering if you know anything about Polycrates Palace on Samos.  The location and how it looked like. There´s very little information about that except that Caligula were thinking of rebuild it!!!

Regards

Lars
Answer -
Hello,

Actually we know little or nothing about Polycrates Palace on Samos.

What we can say is that this palace, built by Polycrates, tyrant of Samos (c. 535-515 BC.), is mentioned by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus (ca.485 BC – ca. 420 BC) who however does not describe it.
(See Herodotus, History of the Persian Wars, Book III, chapter 42)

Suetonius  also , Roman writer born c.69- died after 122 AD, just  says that “ Caligula formed plans for rebuilding the palace of Polycrates at Samos” [See The Lives Of The Twelve Caesars, Life of Caligula, chapter XXI,  “Destinauerat et Sami Polycratis regiam restituere…”].
But this  proposal of the Roman emperor was not accomplished.

As for the location of this royal palace, it seems that its ruins still remain at a village today  named
Pythagorio(or, Pythagoreio), built on the ruins of the ancient city of Samos, capital of the island and one of the most famous Greek cities of antiquity.
See at:
http://www.pythagorion.net/history/mythology.htm)
http://www.pythagorion.net/history/roman.htm
http://www.pythagorion.net/start.htm


Best regards
Maria


Answer
Hello again,

Unfortunately there is no online library  or book about  archaeological discoveries on Samos island.

I've only found two sites about ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM of Samos (see below), where however there is no mention of this little Hellenistic statue of Cybele [the Phrygic mother and  fertility goddess named Rhea in Greek] you say to have found in Pythagorion.

Maybe this statue is still in storerooms so you won't get to see it.

I'm sorry not to tell you more.

Best regards
Maria
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http://www.meandertravel.com/samos/museum.htm
http://www.meandertravel.com/samos/samosarcheology.htm