Architectural ornaments at the ancient city of rhodiapolis

This study concerns the decorative architectural components discovered at the ancient city of Rhodiapolis, a medium-sized settlement in the mountainous area of Lycia. The city is notable for its decorative architectural components which have not been found elsewhere in Lycia to date. Most of the remains of Rhodiapolis date from the 2nd c. B.C. onwards while the most intense period of construction activity occurred in the Roman Imperial period. The aim of this research was to determine through the examination of the decorative architectural components of the structures in the city, their technical, stylistic and features of craftsmanship, to determine the data and interpretations concerning the formation of the city, the repairs to structures, and the functioning stone carving workshop(s) in the city. Most of the decorative architectural components recovered from the city were cut into small pieces in order to be more easily converted into lime through being burnt in the lime kilns. Having examined the remaining larger sized pieces, together with all the architectural components that have been collected in the excavation depot and in the field; examples which exhibit varying periods and/or features of craftsmanship are listed. Although a number of decorative architectural components that were found scattered around were determined to have belonged to certain structures, it was not possible to determine to which structures some of these decorative architectural components, such as architrave and frieze parts came from. Through the course of this study, it was discovered firstly that the ornament carved upon some of the structural components differed from contemporary structures located in different areas and cities, in terms of the craftsmanship and patterns employed. Secondly, after the Hellenistic Period style, structures at Rhodiapolis were adorned with decorative architectural components. Some patterns were drawn with a fine artistic perception and are unique in terms of both their form and craftsmanship, when compared to those discovered in cities elsewhere. Possibly through the support of the wealthy of the city, in the aftermath of the earthquake in the 2nd c. A.D., the city's public buildings were adorned with decorative ornament that matches contemporary buildings in Anatolia in respect to the craftsmanship employed. Excavations in the city began in 2006 and ceased in 2012, as a result, data concerning the public buildings is limited. Moreover, the lack of original form of some of the decorative ornaments and examples that could be directly compared, led to a degree of caution concerning the dating of these structures from the decorative ornamental architectural components employed. Keywords: Eastern Lycia, Rhodiapolis, Architectural Ornament, Workshop.