GERMANICIA MOSAICS KAHRAMANMARAŞ MOSAICS
Being on the trade routes connecting Mesopotamia and Central Anatolia, KahramanMaraş has hosted different civilizations. The city was known as “Markasi,” “Marasion,” “Germanicia,” and “Maraj” in ancient times.
Maraş, a city founded by the Assyrians under the name Markasi, became the capital of the Gurgum Kingdom during the Late Hittite Period. Grave stelae, inscriptions, and sculptural works from this period are scattered in museums worldwide, especially the Kahramanmaraş ARCHEOLOGY MUSEUM and the Istanbul ARCHEOLOGY MUSEUM. After the Gurgum Kingdom, the region came under the rule of the Assyrian, Persian, Macedonian, Seleucid, and Commagene kingdoms. When the Kingdom of Commagene came under Roman rule in the 1st century AD, Roman Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus (Caligula) made Antiochus IV ascend to the Commagene Kingdom’s throne. In return, to thank the emperor, Antiochus changed the city’s name to “Germanicia.”
The discovery of some late Roman mosaics during illegal excavations in 2007 led to the discovery of the location of the Ancient City of Germanicia, mentioned by ancient sources. The floor mosaics unearthed during the excavations carried out by the Kahraman Maraş Museum Directorate belonged to the houses of rich and noble people living in Maraş during the late Roman period. Mosaics, excavated finds, and coins unearthed in the ancient city of Germanicia showed that the city lived its most glorious days in the 4th and 5th centuries AD. While mythological subjects are generally depicted in the Zeugma and Antakya mosaics in the region, the daily life, culture, flora, and fauna of the ancient city are represented in the Germanicia mosaics. Although many mosaics with geometric motifs were also unearthed during the excavations, three mosaics stand out due to their unusual subjects, quality artistry, and well-preserved nature.
MOSAIC OF HUNTERS
In this mosaic, Hunters hunt animals such as bears, wild boars, and lions. Some hunters hunt wild animals on horses, and some on foot. In the lower right corner of the mosaic, two hunters are seen carrying an animal they hunted. On the mosaic, many dogs help the hunters. Here again, a hunter trying to get the deer into a pen with the help of dogs stands out. The mosaic has two very richly carved borders. The first borders show birds and various animals on a black background. In the corners are the heads of women called the beauty of Maraş. On the outer border are figures of eros and running animals in spiral patterns made of vine branches.
MOSAIC OF DAILY LIFE
In this mosaic, called the mosaic of life, people hunting birds, various animals, and magnificent houses of the period are seen. From the left, the top row shows a peacock, a tree, and a hunter figure carrying two birds. Meanwhile, a dog chases a deer, drinking water from a spring. A fight between a rooster and a fox is depicted on the right side of the water source. On the far right of the scene, a hunter is hunting birds with a stick in his hand. An animal figure is shown on the left under the tree. In the upper strip are two large Roman houses with the names of their owners.
In the middle row, two sizeable Roman-period houses are depicted. The names of the owners are written on these houses. There are two bulls on the left of the scene and a Roman figure, who is shown to be much larger than the other figures in the mosaic. The dog accompanies him. On the right side, there is a figure of a bull.
On the bottom row, two huge Roman houses are depicted.
This mosaic, which provides information about the architecture and magnificent houses of the period, is unique. On the border of the mosaic, animal figures can be seen among circularly drawn vine branches.
FEAST MOSAIC
There is an entertainment scene on the floor mosaic, which shows high-quality workmanship and is called the feast mosaic. People are sitting on a cushion in the middle, and dancing women and musicians are in front of them. One of the most exciting details of this mosaic is an African man playing a fan flute.
The faces and the bodies of the two couples sitting on the cushions are partly preserved. In the lower part of the mosaic, one notices the feet of another couple sitting on a cushion. The scene also shows servants offering treats during this feast.
One of the servants holds a container in his hand to offer a drink, and the second servant provides food with a tray in his hand. There are many drinking vessels on the table.
A child figure climbing a fig tree is depicted on the left side of the mosaic. A ceramic artist decorates an amphora in the lower-left corner of the mosaic.