Aratos’ mausoleum searched in Soli Pompeiopolis

Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Soli Pompeiopolis in the southern province of Mersin has focused on uncovering the mausoleum of Aratos, the famous astronomer and poet of the Hellenistic period, to lay bare all its details.

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Archaeological work has resumed in the ancient city in Mezitli district, which was one of the most important ports in the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. and whose columns have been preserved until today.

Excavations carried out by a team of 10 people led by Professor Remzi Yağcı, the head of the Department of Museology at Dokuz Eylül University, focused on the area next to the columned street, where the mausoleum of Aratos, the famous poet and astronomer of the Hellenistic period, is located.

Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency, he said that Aratos also came to the fore as a philosopher, mathematician and astronomer.

"Aratos is among the most famous people of his era. He is an important person who maintains this reputation to this day. Born in Soli, he is the father of astronomy and poet. Although Aratos died in Pella in Central Macedonia, a mausoleum was built here because this is his birthplace. Therefore, it is an important monument," he said.

A sarcophagus in engravings

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Yağcı also mentioned the process of finding the location of the mausoleum, saying, "The mausoleum remained underground for many years after it was noticed by travelers in the 19th century. It is seen as a sarcophagus in the engravings. For this reason, it was named Aratos' tomb by the paleographer Victor Langlois. Afterwards, the place of his grave was marked by Ghevont Alishan on a scaled plan. This is a crater-like place, a monumental building. It has a symbolic meaning. It is...