Belkıs/Zeugma Ancient City It is located on the banks of the Euphrates River within the borders of Belkıs Village, Nizip District, Gaziantep Province. Approximately 20 thousand acres Belkıs/Zeugma Ancient City, built on a land; It has maintained its importance in every period of history because it is in the shallowest passable part of the Euphrates and is a very strategic region in terms of military and trade.80 thousand population Belkıs/Zeugma, one of the largest cities of its period, was called by different names in different periods of history.
Seleucus Nikator, one of the generals of Alexander the Great and later the King of Syria, combined his own name with the name of the Euphrates River and founded a city here in 300 BC called Seleucus Euphrates (Silifkesi of the Euphrates). Later, in the 1st century BC, the city came under Roman rule. With this change of domination, the name of the city changed and became "Zeugma", which means bridge, passage and is known all over the world. Villas were built on the slopes overlooking the Euphrates in Zeugma, which reached a population of 80 thousand in a short time due to the deployment of the Roman Empire's 4th Skitia Legion Garrison here and trade. The population of 80 thousand people makes Zeugma one of the largest cities in the world. For example, Zeugma was smaller than its neighbor Antakya (Antiokheia) and Alexandria (Aleksandreia) in Egypt, but the same size as Athens (Athena). It was several times larger than Pompeii and London (Londinum), which is now a giant metropolis.
The famous geographer Strabon also mentions Zeugma. It is known that important construction activities were carried out in Zeugma during the Hellenistic period, during the reign of Seleucus Nikator. A temple of Thyke, the goddess of fate, was built on the Acropolis in the city. This temple is still underground. Zeugma Ancient City is one of the Roman cities that minted its own city coins. The Thyke temple motif was printed on the coins on one side, and the Roman Eagle motif symbolizing strength was printed on the other side.
CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF ZEUGMA
Seleucus I Nikator, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, founded the city of Selevkeya Euphrates, the first settlement of Belkıs/Zeugma.
The city's name, Selevkeya Euphrates, was preserved and it became one of the 4 largest cities of the Kingdom of Commagene.
In the first quarter of the 1st century BC, it joined the Roman Empire and its name was changed to "ZEUGMA", meaning "bridge" or "passage".
Sassanid King Shapur I captures Belkıs/Zeugma and destroys it
Belkıs/Zeugma comes under late Roman rule.
Belkıs/Zeugma comes under Early Roman rule.
As a result of the Islamic Raids, Belkis/Zeugma was abandoned.
A small Islamic settlement occurs.
Belkıs Village, as it is known today, is established.
Visitor Information
Box Office Information
Box Office Closing Time
16:30
Visiting hours
open every day
Opening Time: 08:30
Closing Time: 17:00
From Works
LIVING ZEUGMA ILLUSTRATION
Zeugma, which had its most glorious days in the 2nd century AD, was one of the 4 largest cities of the Roman Empire. Zeugma was truly a magnificent city, where high-ranking officers resided, as it was the headquarters of the 4th Legion, and rich merchants lived, due to its strategic advantages.
EROS MOSAIC WITH DOLPHIN
In this mosaic, unearthed during rescue excavations sponsored by Packard Humanities Institutes, figures of Eros, the god of Cup, are depicted on dolphins.