Tlos Izraza Monument

The Izraza Monument forms the subject of this thesis, is exhibited today with the 683 inventory number, in the garden of Fethiye Museum. It was brought to the museum in 1968 by S. Kütük, the director of museum and J. Borchhardt. The monument was first mentioned in the travel notes of Spratt-Forbes and the plaster copy of it applied by C. Fellows was taken to the British Museum in 1842. The first researchers denote that the monument composed of a lime stone monolith block was found within a ten-minute walk to the northeast of the acropolis. The cubic shaped block is two leveled and has 7 sides covered with reliefs out of 8. In terms of architecture, iconography and style, Izraza Monument is important for Lycian art and Tlos ancient city. As an architectural form, it differs from the other relieved artifacts found in the region. Especially because the upper part of the block is damaged, the structure or the function of the monument is still debated. The aim of this thesis is to consider and shed a light on this subject of debate. In order to prevent any confusion, the thesis is carried on with the coding system J. Brochhardt had used before. Reliefs were described and ichnographically evaluated with the same system. The monument that has different depictions on each side, the ill-preserved A1 side was left empty. There are two figures of warriors with curveted horses facing each other on A2. B1 is the only side that has civil depiction: in the relief, a naked athlete is shown with his servant. C1 has a post-war scene depiction: a triumphant warrior is shown chasing the warrior he had wounded and defeated. On C2 is the depiction of a victory shield that was known commonly since Archaic Period in Lycia. On D1 is a frontal depiction of a warrior figure. And on D2 is a depiction of a city and its siege. The importance of the monument in Lycian art was given by comparing the monument iconographically and stylistically with examples within Lycia, east and Greece. In addition, analyzing comparison examples, it was seen that eastern and Greek influences on the monument had been given with peculiar depictions. Finally, the Izraza Word, which was given as a name to the monument, was questioned with the help of the Lycian inscribed block that is still on the north analemma wall of the theatre and thus an explanation was given to the subject of debate. R. Tekoğlu translated this block, which helped in the dating of the monument. According to the inscription mentioned on the first and second lines of the block ?When Lycia dominates? R. Tekoğlu documented that the monument we dated to 350 B.C. and a little later with iconographic and stylistic comparisons must be either from the period of time when Lycia was a Satrapy or when Alexander the Great came to Anatolia/Lycia. Therefore this conclusion supports the theory that the monument must be dated at least to 350 B.C. In the discussions part, the things that can be done in order to preserve this monument significant for Lycia were also mentioned. The monument that is still exhibited in the garden of the museum unfortunately started to lose its features. For its preservation and further studies A. Çavuşoğlu Korkut, the restorer of Antalya Archeology Museum, was consulted for her knowledge and experience.