Terracotta figurines of Thiasos of the Dionysos and related cults which found from the Tralleis excavation

The terracotta figurines, which are addressed within the scope of the thesis, were found during the archaeological excavation works carried out between 1999 and 2002 in the ancient city of Tralleis, located within the borders of the Caria region in ancient times and today within the modern Aydın province, Efeler district, at the Topyatağı location. These figurines were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the Hamam-Gymnasium complex, Arsenal, Acropolis, and in front of the city walls. The context of the terracotta figurines preserved in the storage of the ancient city of Tralleis could not be determined. Twenty-seven terracotta figurines, determined to be associated with the Dionysian cult at the ancient city of Tralleis, have been analyzed within the scope of the study. Since these figurines lack a specific context, they have been examined stylistically, typologically, and iconographically. Using the Munsell Soil Color Catalog, the clay, paint, and primer colors of the figurines have been identified. To date the terracotta figurines without context, similar examples have been identified for comparison. Based on these comparisons and period characteristics, dating suggestions have been proposed. As a result of the evaluations, the figurines have been dated to the Hellenistic and Roman Imperial Periods. The typological examination of the artifacts reveals five distinct categories represented: masks, silenos, grotesque figures, paedogogos, and Dionysos Hermes. Masks encompass a subgroup of tragedy and comedy genres, representing various types including young girls, young boys, elderly women, elderly men, slaves, silenos, and satyrs. Considering the terracotta figurine group of masks, which has been extensively documented in previous studies conducted within the city, it is evident that the masks of Tralleis ancient city exhibit a wide typology. The study examines the figurines of the ancient city of Tralleis, encompassing discussions on the city's geographical location, its political history, and an overview of excavations and research conducted thus far. Furthermore, there is a literature review concerning the statues and terracotta figurines discovered during the city's excavations. Since the examined figurines are associated with the god Dionysos and his cult, the thesis presents information on Dionysos' name, birth, life, festivals, and thiasos. Given that the figurines are artifacts from the ancient city of Tralleis, the thesis also discusses sculptural works associated with the Dionysian cult identified in the city's excavations, as well as epigraphic, numismatic, and ceramic findings. Based on the information gleaned from the literature and the artifacts, it is understood that there was a cult dedicated to Dionysos Bakkhios in the city. Additionally, in this study, an analysis was conducted on the figurines using modern technologies such as pXRF (Portable X-Ray Fluorescence) and digital microscopy. Through these analyses, the chemical properties of the clay were determined. As a result of all these comparisons, significant information about the production of figurines in the ancient city of Tralleis was obtained. It was observed that all the figurines evaluated in the study are iconographically linked to the Dionysos Bakkhios cult.