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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Orthosia |
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Type:
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City |
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Altitude:
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m |
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Region:
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Aegean |
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Province:
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Aydin |
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District:
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Yenipazar |
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Village:
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Donduran |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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Roman |
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| It is located at the Donduran Village; 5 km east of the Yenipazar District of the Aydin Province [Yener-Ölmez 1997:275]. Known as being attacked by the Cimmerians during the 7th century BC; it became under the dominion of Lydia upon defeat of the Cimmerians by the Lydian King; Alyattes. The city participated in the Ionian Union during the 6th century BC; and after a while; it was taken by Persians. The first coinage appears after Alexander the Great. Orthosia played a particular role in the revolt of Carians against Rhodes in 167 BC [Sevin 2001:112]. The city located to the west of the ancient city of Orthosia is a Byzantine city [Varinlioglu 1998a:385]. It was subject to the Alabanda conventus during the Roman Period; and it was among the bishops centers of Caria during the Byzantine Period. Excavations were conducted in 1996; 1997; and 1998 by a joint Turkish-French team. A floor mosaic of 20 x 3.5-4 m was uncovered in one of the gardens of the houses in the Donduran Village. Several subjects were depicted including Zeus in the form of a swan and Leda; a dressed and stylised Athena figure with a helmet on a bird; killing scene of Stymphalian Birds; one of the 12 labors of Heracles; Pan and two Nymphes; gladiator fights and finally scenes with Triton and Amphitrite. It is suggested that the mosaics might have belonged to a Roman village due to the high quality of craftsmanship; the technique used and the subjects depicted. Based on the inscriptions on some of the panels; it was found out that the owner of the panels might have been a weaver or his nickname was "weaver". The mosaics are dated to the end of the 2nd century AD and beginning of the 3rd century AD based on the stylistic features and characteristics of letters on the inscriptions [Yener-Ölmez 1997:275-286]. |
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