THE PARTHO-ROMAN RELIEFS FROM TUR ABDIN: ROCK-CUT RELIEFS OF BEGANI

Year 2024, Issue: 50, 237 - 268, 20.12.2024

Ramazan Bozkurttan , Mehmet Şan

https://doi.org/10.36891/anatolia.1563848

Abstract

This paper analyses the Begani rock reliefs, a crucial body of works reflecting the complex cultural and artistic interactions of the Partho-Roman period in northern Mesopotamia. The study investigates the strong links between the reliefs and Parthian and Mesopotamian artistic traditions and focuses on the iconographic elements that characterise this period, such as clothing, postures, and weapons. The analyses indicate that the Begani reliefs have common features with sculptural works from prominent artistic centres such as Edessa, Hatra and Palmyra, pointing to a broader cultural network in the region. The synthesis of local traditions in the depicted garments, including tunics and trousers, demonstrates the widespread influence of these artistic expressions across different regions. Furthermore, the paper highlights the Adiabene kingdom's role as a major regional power, which probably influenced artistic production in neighbouring principalities by evaluating the reliefs in the context of the kingdom of Adiabene. The influence of the Parthian Empire and subsequent Roman control has been recognised as crucial in shaping the region's artistic landscape. Despite the difficulties posed by the damage the reliefs suffered, which made it challenging to identify the figures, the details provide insight into the artistic transformations of the period. The results emphasise the importance of further research into the iconography of the Begani reliefs and their relationship with other regional works. This approach aims to improve our understanding of the social and religious contexts of the sculptural traditions of northern Mesopotamia and their interrelationships within the framework of artistic production in the region.

Keywords

Northern Mesopotamia, Tur Abdin, Adiabene, Rock-cut Reliefs, Partho-Roman Period

Tur Abdin'den Parth-Roma Dönemi Kabartmaları: Begani Kaya Kabartmaları

Abstract

Bu makale, Kuzey Mezopotamya’da Parth-Roma döneminin karmaşık kültürel ve sanatsal etkileşimlerini yansıtan önemli bir eser topluluğu olan Begani kaya kabartmalarını incelemektedir. Çalışma, kabartmalar ile Parth ve Mezopotamya sanat gelenekleri arasındaki güçlü bağları araştırmakta ve bu dönemi karakterize eden giysiler, duruşlar ve silahlar gibi ikonografik unsurlara odaklanmaktadır. Analizler, Begani kabartmalarının Edessa, Hatra ve Palmyra gibi önde gelen sanat merkezlerindeki heykeltıraşlık eserleriyle ortak özellikler taşıdığını göstermekte ve bölgedeki daha geniş bir kültürel ağa işaret etmektedir. Tunikler ve pantolonlar da dahil olmak üzere tasvir edilen giysilerdeki yerel geleneklerin sentezi, bu sanatsal ifadelerin farklı bölgelerdeki yaygın etkisini göstermektedir. Ayrıca makale, kabartmaları Adiabene Krallığı bağlamında değerlendirerek, Adiabene Krallığı’nın yakın çevresindeki sanatsal üretimi etkilemiş olması muhtemel büyük bir bölgesel güç olarak rolünü vurgulamaktadır. Parth İmparatorluğu’nun ve ardından Roma kontrolünün etkisi, bölgenin sanatsal manzarasının şekillenmesinde çok önemli olarak kabul edilmektedir. Kabartmaların uğradığı hasarın figürlerin tanımlanmasını zorlaştırmasına rağmen, detaylar dönemin sanatsal dönüşümleri hakkında fikir vermektedir. Sonuçlar, Begani kabartmalarının ikonografisi ve diğer bölgesel eserlerle ilişkileri üzerine daha fazla araştırma yapılmasının önemini vurgulamaktadır. Bu yaklaşım, Kuzey Mezopotamya'daki heykeltıraşlık geleneklerinin sosyal ve dini bağlamları ile bölgedeki sanatsal üretim çerçevesindeki karşılıklı ilişkilerine dair kavrayışımızı geliştirmeyi amaçlamaktadır.

Keywords

Kuzey Mezopotamya, Kuzey Mezopotamya, Tur Abdin, Adiabene, Kaya Kabartmaları, Parth-Roma Dönemi

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