Türkiye Repatriates Ancient Statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius from U.S.

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Türkiye has successfully repatriated a rare ancient statue believed to depict Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius from the United States, marking a major victory in the country’s longstanding efforts to recover cultural artefacts illicitly removed from its territory.

“It was a long struggle. We were right, we were determined, we were patient, and we won,” said Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy on Saturday, announcing the return of the statue.

“We brought the ‘Philosopher Emperor’ Marcus Aurelius back to the land where he belongs,” the minister added, referring to the statue as a national treasure.

The bronze statue, believed to have been smuggled out of the ancient city of Boubon — now located in the Burdur province of southwestern Türkiye — in the 1960s, has been returned after 65 years abroad. It was most recently on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art from April to July this year.

According to Turkish authorities, the artefact’s return was made possible through extensive scientific analysis, archival research, and witness testimonies that proved its origin. The repatriation was the result of close cooperation with the New York Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations.

“Through the combined power of diplomacy, law, and science, this process is more than just a repatriation; it is a historical achievement,” Ersoy stated. “Marcus Aurelius’s return to our country is a concrete result of our years-long pursuit of justice.”

Ersoy reiterated Türkiye’s firm stance on protecting its cultural heritage, pledging continued efforts to reclaim artefacts removed from the country illegally.

He also announced that the statue of Marcus Aurelius will soon be unveiled to the public in a special exhibition in Ankara.

This repatriation adds to a growing list of artefacts returned to Türkiye in recent years as part of a broader campaign to safeguard the nation’s rich archaeological legacy.