Haleplibahçe mosaics

Subsequent to the rescue excavations in Haleplibahçe, located in the city center of Şanlıurfa(Edessa), a villa called "The Villa of Amazons" was discovered. In this study, mosaics that embellish the floor of this villa are discussed and investigated in terms of stylistics and iconography . The Villa of Amazons consists of twelve spaces and two innercourts. The floors of all spaces are decorated with mosaics, most of which are destroyed. The preserved floors have multicoloured and figurative decorations. Geometrical patterns are seen only in the borders of the mosaics which have a central panel arrangement. The tesseras composing the ground of the main scenes are arranged in an interwoven fishscale pattern. The ground of the examples with panels is sprinkled with rosebuds. Five of the panels are designed with figure(s) placed in central panels. While one panel contains the personification of Ktisis; a tiger, lion, zebra and a shepherd are depicted on the others. The hunting of Amazon queens, the life of Achilles and a hunt scene are depicted on the other three panels. Hunting Erotes and various animals among acanthus spirals are depicted on the border of the Amazon mosaic. Apparently the border of the mosaic with the hunt scene comprises some components of the Nile River iconography. In this study the mosaics are compared to Sarrin, Antiochia and Apamea examples in the East and Ravenna San Vitale and Great Palace of Istanbul mosaics in the West, all dating to the 5th-6th centuries AD. The appearance of Paganism components in the subjects of the mosaics of the Villa of Amazons in an era that Christianity is strengthened in Edessa is of vital importance. These mosaics also reflect the characteristics of the period of Justinian I.