The design structure of Belkıs Zeugma mosaics and its reflection to home textile

Mosaic is a quite intriguing art in its construction technique and application. We encounter its first examples in 4th Century B.C. Most colourful and magnificent mosaic works had been made in the Roman and Hellenistic periods. When we come to the point of Anatolia, we observe considerably rich mosaic works. Towards the end of Hellenistic period, Assos, Bergama and Tarsus mosaics attract the attention. I examined Antakya and Zeugma mosaics in my study. Antakya and Zeugma were the cultural center of that era. The colourful geometrical and figured mosaics on the floor of the rooms of Roman villas come to the forefront. Plantal and again geometrical patterns appear at the around of these mosaics which told many mythological stories. These mosaics are impressive in the techniques and colours used. Mosaics, as is evident from its name, contain many richness together. Every mosaic tells a mythological story. Decoration of the figures are very realistic in respect of the facial expressions, color and technique used. Since the plantal and geometrical motifs that are used around the frames of mosaics were applied on floors, they have created the effect of a rug too. In this study, I had a chance to examine mosaics deeply. As well as the mythological stories gain a meaning with painting, we can see that they are significant decoration elements for architecture of houses too. Moreover, although they were made thousands of years before, continuation of using them from architecture to textile today, makes the examination of mosaics valuable.