MOSAIC OF NEPTUNE GREETED BATHERS AT AN ANCIENT BATH HOUSE IN TURKEY

A rare mosaic depicting Poseidon/Neptune, God of the Sea, has been unearthed at at an ancient Roman bath house in seaside Turkey.

The nearly pristine mosaic was discovered in the cold pool of a Roman bath in the ancient port city of Aegae, in Adana Turkey.

A Greek inscription at the bottom of the mosaic says: "Greetings to all of you bathing."

Aegae was an important port during the Roman era, founded in the 2nd Century BC. 

The ancient city had an important strategic position and served as a naval base during the reign of the Roman Empire and was also famous for its health facilities dedicated to Aesculapius, the god of medicine in ancient Greek religion and mythology.

One of the three biggest Asclepius temples in the world is located in the ancient city of Aegae.

Earlier, archaeologists found a mosaic depicting the god of love, Amor/Eros.

Poseidon, also known as Neptune in Roman mythology, who is the god of the sea, earthquake and horses in Greek mythology, is the son of Chronos and Rheia, and the brother of Zeus and Hades.

In this mosaic, he is described as having a rope wrapped over his shoulder.

Apart from Poseidon, the mosaic also features the depictions of dolphins on both sides of Poseidon.

It is a little-known fact that Antinous was associated in a gay context with Neptune/Poseidon, the classical god of the seas.

Coins minted by a priest of Antinous at Corinth named Hostilius Marcellus (from whom our own Uendi Hostilia Marcella takes her priestly name) show Antinous as Neptune/Poseidon.

It is a reference to the myth that Poseidon became enthralled with another marine male deity, Nerites, who was said to be the handsomest of all males on Earth, in the Heavens or in the Seas.

The sexual union of Poseidon and Nerites produced Anteros, god of requited love.

In those days, few people could read or write, but everyone knew these myths. So anyone who held one of these Antinous/Poseidon coins could "read" the gay symbolism.

So any discovery concerning Neptune/Poseidon is of great interest to us, since the dig could ultimately reveal Antinous-related artefacts.