History of Art

This study focuses on the Byzantine buildings located in the Lower City of Perge. One of the significant structures in the city is the South Church (Basilica A), which is a three-aisled basilica with a transept and gallery, dating back to the early 5th century. Another notable church in the city, capturing attention with its large dimensions, is the North Church (Basilica B). This basilica, with its five aisles and transept, is accompanied by an atrium to the west and a narthex. Due to its size, it is believed that this structure could have served as the city's cathedral, dating to the 5th and 6th centuries. Located on the east-west oriented street of the city, the East Church (Basilica C) has managed to preserve its narthex to the west and its five-sided apse to the east. This remarkable structure, with its extraordinary length, is also among the early Byzantine churches in the city. On the north-south oriented street, a church with an inscribed cross plan (known as the Small Church) was constructed and can be dated to the 10th century. Inside the Palaestra to the west of the city, a structure with a tetraconch plan was erected. Similar to its counterparts, this edifice, believed to have been used for religious purposes, can be dated back to the latter half of the 5th century and the 6th century. The urban layout of the Lower City remained intact until the 7th century, at which point there was a decline in activity in the city. Subsequently, during the Middle Byzantine period, most likely around the 10th century, there is evidence of a limited reoccupation and settlement in the city.

İZNİK NECROPOLIS IN THE LIGHT OF RECENTLY DISCOVERED HYPOGEA
The hills on the northern, eastern and southern parts of Iznik (Nikaia) and their outskirts have been used as necropolis since Antiquity until the Byzantine period. Current study intends to shed light on the plan types, wall paintings and the dating of the recently discovered seven hypogea in recent years as a result of illegal excavations, construction and agricultural activities.

The restoration project of the so-called "Dungeons of Anemas" in 2006 brought to light a church sub-structure. The structure is located on the "Dungeons of Anemas", part of the Blakhernai Palace, and to the north-east of the towers of Anemas and Isaakios Komnenos. The purpose of this study is to present the newly discovered church ruins in the context of the 12th and 13th century additions to the Palace of Blakhernai and the surrounding area.

The main part of the Byzantine liturgy is focused around the altar in front of the apse
of Byzantine churches. This sacred area, called "bema", is separated from the "naos"
by a system of a light architectural barrier. The horizontal stone "beams",
"architraves" (lat.) I "epistyles"(gr.) are heavily decorated on both outer and inner
faces as well as on the soffits; they are the bearers of many featured ornaments and
this present study deals mainly with the decorations of this substantial part of the
"templon". In istanbul, the capital of the Byzantium, the remains of these elements
are not present in large numbers. Contrarily, architraves are in abundance in the
Western Anatolia.

This work focuses on the remains of templon architraves in the area around izmir
and Manisa. Samples investigated are from the local museums of Izmir, Odemis,
Tire, Bergama, Manisa; apart from them the reused fragments in different Islamic
monuments and templon architraves in the churches of St.John and the Virgin Mary
in Ephesus (partly in situ) are examined.

All the samples belong to the Middle Byzantine decoration programme and are dated from the 9th to the 12th centuries. Most of them had been worked out in local styles while a few displays a distinct influence of the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

MIDDLE BYZANTINE TEMPLON ARCHITRAVES FROM
İZMİR AND MANİSA REGIONS

The main part of the Byzantine liturgy is focused around the altar in front of the apse
of Byzantine churches. This sacred area, called "bema", is separated from the "naos"
by a system of a light architectural barrier. The horizontal stone "beams",
"architraves" (lat.) / "epistyles"(gr.) are heavily decorated on both outer and inner
faces as well as on the soffits; they are the bearers of many featured ornaments and
this present study deals mainly with the decorations of this substantial part of the
"templon". in İstanbul, the capital of the Byzantium, the remains of these elements
are not present in large numbers. Contrarily, architraves are in abundance in the
Western Anatolia.

This work focuses on the remains of templon architraves in the area around İzmir
and Manisa. Samples investigated are from the local museums of İzmir, Ödemiş,
Tire, Bergama, Manisa; apart from them the reused fragments in different Islamic
monuments and templon architraves in the churches of St.John and the Virgin Mary
in Ephesus (partly in situ) are examined.

71 pieces included in our catalogue are compared with each other and with other
samples from neighbouring regions, with those on the Greek Aegean islands and in
the Greek Main Land. Motives, styles and technical peculiarities in their designs are
minutely scrutinized. All the samples belong to the Middle Byzantine decoration
programme and are dated from the 9th to the ıth centuries. Most of them had been
worked out in local styles while a few displays a distinct influence of the capital of
the Byzantine Empire.

This study aims to examine the historical development of Niksar from Hellenistic era to the end of the Byzantine Empire and presents an evaluation of the archaeological findings of the province belong to the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Niksar is located on the roads connecting Black Sea region to central Anatolia that gained the area a strategic geographical position throughout history. The city was founded during the Kingdom of Pontus by the name Kaberia and particularly gained importance in the time of Mithridates VI (120-63 BCE). In 63 BCE, after Pompeius defeated Mithridates VI, Pontus became included in the Roman Empire. Kabeira has been organised as a new city by Pompeius and renamed as Diospolis (City of Zeus). In 40 BCE, after taking the management of eastern provinces of the empire, Marcus Antonius made some changes in the regulation in Anatolia and assigned the vassal Kingdom of Pontus and a part of the region that included Diospolis to Darius in 39 BCE and later in 37 BCE to Polemon I. After the death of Polemon I, his wife Pythodoris carried on with the rule. Pythodoris has improved the city of Diospolis to serve as a royal habitancy and renamed it as Sebaste in the honour of Emperor Augustus. The later sources record the city’s name as Neokaisareia. Although the general opinion is held that the city has taken the name in the Tiberius period, it is also considered that this name could have been given in Emperor Nero’s time (54-68 CE), during the state regulations of the period. The names of Kabeira, Diospolis, Sebaste and Neokaisareia have been used for the same settlement throughout history.

Neokaisareia has been an important center in rise and spread of Christianity and the most important role in this process has been played by Gregorius Thaumaturgus. In 395 when the Roman Empire was divided, the city has become the part of Eastern Roman Empire known as Byzantine Empire today and it remained as such until conquered by Danishmends.

The evaluation of archaeological data in Niksar concerning Roman and Byzantine periods include the necropolis remains dated to the Roman and Early Byzantine periods, building remains, which has got a cryptoporticus, bridges and floor mosaics of a remains dated to the Late Roman-Early Byzantine period. Also the fortress and churches located in central area of the city are studied.

The Evaluation of the Architectural Activities of the Byzantine Era
in Iznik and its Regions

Iznik (Nikaia) has always been considered is one of the most important cities of the Byzantine Empire for it was the meeting place of the first Ecumenical council, and also located on the roads of military and commercial importance. With it strong city walls and the later part of the Byzantine Empire, it gained more importance as it became capital of the Lascarid Empire after the fall of Constantinople to the fourth Crusades. Iznik always attracted many scholars thanks to importance mentioned about and the most of this scholarly works concentrated on religious buildings and the walls of the city.

This study is aiming the evaluate of the architecture of the Byzantine period in Iznik (Nikaia) including not only urban center but also neighbouring settlements. The thesis is grouped under five titles: the religious buildings, necropolis areas and the sepulchral rooms (hypogeum), military buildings, the city's water system and hydraulic structure, and remains of non-specific function.

Ruins of less or not known buildings have recently been located or unearthed either in the excavations or during the researches. Those were thoroughly studied and recorded scientifically. The dating, plan type, decoration problems of the buildings have been studied and made some proposals. By different approaches, various suggestions have been listed. Moreover, various comments and suggestions about the surrounding settlements of Iznik have been purposed.