The Carian labrys symbols in Ephesus are small double-axe signs that Carians scratched into the marble of the city. The Carians came from Caria, around today’s Muğla region in southwest Turkey, and the labrys was the sacred axe of their Zeus, the god of their army.
Double-headed axe ”labrys” was an important symbol in the ancient Mediterranean civilization. As far as we understand labrys axes were commonly used in rituals. Early forms of labrys symbols can be seen in Minoan culture of the island Create and Catalhoyuk prehistoric site dating back to the Neolithic age.
The nearest users of labrys symbol to Ephesus were Carians who lived in today’s Mugla area. We believe people of Caria made their way into the Ephesus as mercenaries or businessman. Carians left their marks in Ephesus and carved some labrys symbols on various parts of Ephesus ancient city. I want to point out locations of Carian labrys symbols in Ephesus in this article for the curious visitors of Ephesus.
How to Spot a Carian Labrys in Ephesus
A Carian labrys in Ephesus is a thin line drawing, scratched into the marble with a sharp tool. Most are drawn very simply, with one straight handle and a blade on each side. They are small, so many visitors walk right over them, and some are so worn that only the handle and one blade are left.
Light matters more than good eyes. In morning and late afternoon the sun comes from the side, and the shallow lines make tiny shadows. At noon the white marble is flat and bright, and the signs nearly disappear. Please do not touch or rub them, the lines are very thin and the stone is old.
Do not mix a labrys up with other scratches. Visitors left letters, lines and little drawings on these stones for many centuries, like the menorah on one of the steps of the Library of Celsus. A labrys always has a blade on both sides of the handle.
What Did the Double Axe Mean to the Carians?
To the Carians the double axe was the sign of their Zeus, the god of the army. They called him Zeus Stratios, which means Zeus of the Army, and some people think the axe stood for his lightning.
The Greeks noticed that only the Carians prayed to Zeus with this name. Around 500 BC the Carians lost a battle against the Persians at the Marsyas river, and the survivors gathered in the sacred plane tree grove of Zeus at Labraunda to decide what to do next. I wrote about the other holy places of Caria in my post on the Carians.
The Carians were famous soldiers too. The Greeks said they were the first to fasten crests on helmets and to put signs on shields. So a Carian who scratched a labrys on a stone far from home probably wanted to say who he was and whose god he trusted.
The cult lived on for a very long time. Coins of Mylasa from the early 3rd century AD still show the temple of Zeus Labraundos, so the axe sign was known in Roman times, when most of the buildings you see in Ephesus today were built.
The first Carian labrys in Ephesus
The first Carian labrys found in Ephesus is nearby Gymnasium in the lower end of Ephesus. It was discovered on a column base. A single labrys probably means it was carved by a Carian craftsman.
The second Carian labrys in Ephesus
The second Carian labrys found in Ephesus is on the steps of the Domitian Temple located on the Domitian Square of Ephesus.
The third Carian labrys in Ephesus
The third Carian labrys found in Ephesus is nearby the gate of Mazeus and Mithridates located next to Celsus Library. Probably a Carian craftsman waiting for a job opportunity in the commercial Agora of Ephesus carved this labrys on the wall.
The fourth Carian labrys in Ephesus
The fourth Carian labrys found in Ephesus is located nearby Temple of Hadrian located in the middle of the famous Curetes Street of Ephesus. A clearly visible sword was carved next to the labrys which indicates the mercenary roots of the Carian who carved it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the labrys symbol mean?
The labrys is a double-headed axe. For the Carians it belonged to Zeus, the god of their army, and some people think it stood for his lightning. A Carian who carved it into a stone was probably saying who he was and which god he trusted.
Where can you see the Carian labrys in Ephesus?
This page shows four small marks on the stones of Ephesus. Walking down from the Upper Gate, you pass the Domitian Temple and the Temple of Hadrian first, then the Mazeus and Mithridates Gate nearby the Library of Celsus, and last the Gymnasium at the lower end.
Were there Carians in Ephesus?
Yes. The old stories say that Carians and their relatives, the Leleges, lived around Ephesus before the Ionian Greeks came. Later more Carians came, and the marks on the stones are probably their personal signs.
Hire Ephesus Tour Guide
Ephesus offers traces of different cultures to its visitors. Carians are just one of the passerby of Ephesus who left their marks in the forms of labrys. Contact me to hire an English-speaking professional licensed tour guide in Ephesus. See you soon, Hasan Gülday
