Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey accepted the request of a three-month delay from the officials of the Cleveland Museum in the United States before the return of the bronze statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, on the condition that the late Professor Dr. Jale İnan, a significant figure in Turkish archaeology who initiated the search for the statue, would be commemorated at the museum and her photographs would be displayed there.
The exhibition titled "The Golden Age of Archaeology" opened yesterday to visitors at the Presidential Nation's Library with the attendance of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In addition to the Marcus Aurelius statue, which returned to Turkey after 65 years, many other artifacts are being exhibited for the first time.
Zeynep Boz, Head of the Department for Combating Smuggling at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, stated in an interview with Anadolu Agency that this is the first time the Turkish public will be able to see the Marcus Aurelius statue at the Presidential Nation's Library, and that this carries deep meaning for them.
Boz noted that the process of repatriating the Marcus statue was very lengthy. She explained that Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor who ascended the throne in 161 AD, known for fighting against Germanic tribes and quelling rebellions during his reign.
She said the bronze statue portrays Marcus Aurelius in his philosophical character, and that he was one of the foremost advocates of the Stoic school of philosophy, regarded as the most important figure among the late Stoics.
Boz emphasized that Stoic philosophy prioritizes emotional control and not assigning meaning to everything. She mentioned that the emperor's teachings and thoughts were recorded in his book "Meditations," which has been translated into every major language.
She added that in the 1960s, there was extensive looting at the ancient city of Boubon in Burdur, and despite efforts to prevent it, many artifacts unfortunately entered the international market.
Boz shared that the late scholar Prof. Dr. Jale İnan attended an event in Boston in 1973, where she saw the promotion of four statues including the Marcus Aurelius. These artifacts immediately drew her attention.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey accepted the request of a three-month delay from the officials of the Cleveland Museum in the United States before the return of the bronze statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, on the condition that the late Professor Dr. Jale İnan, a significant figure in Turkish archaeology who initiated the search for the statue, would be commemorated at the museum and her photographs would be displayed there.
The exhibition titled "The Golden Age of Archaeology" opened yesterday to visitors at the Presidential Nation's Library with the attendance of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In addition to the Marcus Aurelius statue, which returned to Turkey after 65 years, many other artifacts are being exhibited for the first time.
Zeynep Boz, Head of the Department for Combating Smuggling at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, stated in an interview with Anadolu Agency that this is the first time the Turkish public will be able to see the Marcus Aurelius statue at the Presidential Nation's Library, and that this carries deep meaning for them.
Boz noted that the process of repatriating the Marcus statue was very lengthy. She explained that Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor who ascended the throne in 161 AD, known for fighting against Germanic tribes and quelling rebellions during his reign.
She said the bronze statue portrays Marcus Aurelius in his philosophical character, and that he was one of the foremost advocates of the Stoic school of philosophy, regarded as the most important figure among the late Stoics.
Boz emphasized that Stoic philosophy prioritizes emotional control and not assigning meaning to everything. She mentioned that the emperor's teachings and thoughts were recorded in his book "Meditations," which has been translated into every major language.
She added that in the 1960s, there was extensive looting at the ancient city of Boubon in Burdur, and despite efforts to prevent it, many artifacts unfortunately entered the international market.
Boz shared that the late scholar Prof. Dr. Jale İnan attended an event in Boston in 1973, where she saw the promotion of four statues including the Marcus Aurelius. These artifacts immediately drew her attention.
