Greco-Persian art

The Gökçeler relief, an example of Greco-Persian art. 5th century BCE.

Greco-Persian art, also Graeco-Persian art or Anatolian-Persian is an artistic synthesis between Ancient Greek art and Achaemenid Persian art, which can mainly be seen in the archaeological finds of ancient Anatolia in present-day Turkey.^[1] It is part of the evidence of "the presence of Persians in the region".^[1] It has been defined as "a peculiar blend of Hellenistic and Achaemenid, or pseudo-Achaemenid, styles" in the Anatolian peninsula under Achaemenid rule.^[2]

The Gökçeler relief is an example of this type of art, showing a figure of uncertain ethnic origin, with gifts of "western Anatolian and Greek in origin", however, the clothing he wears are "clearly of Persian influence".^[1][3]

The Lycian sarcophagus of Sidon is sometimes presented as an example of Greco-Persian art, although it can also be qualified more precisely as Greco-Anatolian art, since such examples are unknown in the wider Achaemenid Empire.^[4]

In Greco-Persian art, the representation of gods is usually the result of an artistic syncretism, combining Greek and Achaemenid characteristics, such as "Zeus-Oromasdes" or "Herakles-Artagnes".^[2]

The term "Greco-Persian" applied to the art of Anatolian elite under the rule of Achaemenid Persian, remains a subject of debate, and has been described as too vague or imprecise, hiding the local complexities of the art of the region.^[2]

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  Lycian sarcophagus of Sidon
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  Achaemenid calvalryman in the satrapy of Hellespontine Phrygia, Altıkulaç Sarcophagus, early 4th century BC.
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  Lycian dignitary in Achaemenid style, at the Karaburun tomb near Elmalı, Lycia, c. 475 BC.^[5]