In an exciting one archaeological discoveryResearchers have discovered the presence of two interconnected temples in the ancient megacity of Girsu in what is now southeastern Iraq.
The city known as Tello in ancient times revealed secrets hidden beneath layers of history with one of the temples associated with Hercules and Alexander the Great.
The fascinating connections of mythology to history
British Museum archaeologists involved in the Girsu project conducted extensive excavations and discovered the youngest temple, dating back to the 4th century BC. BC
The Hellenistic site revealed a fascinating burned brick decorated with inscriptions in Aramaic and Greek.
The inscription mentions the “giver of two brothers” and gives rise to speculation about a possible connection with the Macedonian king. Alexander the Great.
During his reign between 336 and 323 BC. In the 1st century BC he was responsible for the conquest and shaping of large parts of the previously known world
A brick with inscriptions honoring the god Zeus Image: Girsu Project/Reproduction
Sebastien Rey, archaeologist and curator of ancient Mesopotamia at the British Museum, shared that the oldest temple dedicated to the hero god Ningirsu was discovered on the same site.
This intentional overlap highlights the historical significance of the site for the inhabitants of Babylon in the 4th century BC. BC and shows deep knowledge and respect for history itself.
The find includes a Greek silver drachm buried under an altar and a brick inscribed “Adadnadinakhe,” translated as “Adad, the giver of brothers.”
This name has symbolic and archaic connotations and was chosen as a ceremonial title. The inscription serves as a homage to Zeus, the Greek god of the sky.
The associated currency has Hercules and Zeus, who recognized Alexander as his son through the oracle of Amun.
Alexander's possible connection with the temple raises the intriguing hypothesis that the Macedonian leader may have played an active role in the temple's restoration or even been honored there after his death.
The discovery offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of cultures in ancient Girsu, where Sumerian, Hellenistic and Macedonian histories are intertwined into a unique narrative.
As more artifacts are revealed, this city's past continues to surprise and enrich our understanding of the complex web of human history.