Hellenistic

Ancient Dionysus and Pan Figurines at Kurul Castle Reveal Royal Cult Mysteries

Terracotta figurines of young Dionysus, Pan, and goat-shaped vessels discovered at Kurul Castle
Gary Manners
Gary Manners
July
11
/ 2025
Excavations are set to resume at the remarkable Kurul Castle in Ordu, Turkey, where archaeologists continue to uncover extraordinary evidence of a royal Dionysian cult that flourished over 2,000 years ago in the mountains overlooking the Black Sea. A Sacred Mountain Stronghold Dating back approximately 2,300 years, Kurul Castle represents the first scientifically excavated archaeological site in Turkey's Eastern Black Sea region. Built during the reign of the legendary King Mithridates VI Eupator, who ruled the Pontic Kingdom from 120-63 BC, this mountain fortress served both military and religious functions that are only now being fully understood. The site's unique position as home to a single ancient civilization has allowed archaeologists to explore uninterrupted cultural layers, providing an unprecedented window
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