GRAFFITI GAME BOARDS FOUND IN THE ROMAN THEATRE IN NICAEA

Abstract

The Nicaea (İznik) Roman Theater, one of the monumental structures of the Bithynia Region, has hosted the artistic, cultural, and social dynamics of the city for centuries, starting from its construction process that began during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117 AD). In addition to its architectural grandeur, the structure bears tangible traces of the daily life and social interactions of the city’s inhabitants. The incised game boards (graffiti), which constitute the most remarkable examples of these traces, are of great importance in terms of reflecting the leisure activities of ancient people and the non-event utilization of public spaces. Although there are comprehensive studies in the literature on ancient gaming culture, the presence of numerous graffiti that have not yet been documented and examined in archaeological sites points to a serious scientific gap in this field. Aiming to address this deficiency, this study focuses on nine graffiti game boards identified on the architectural blocks of the Nicaea Roman Theater.

Keywords

• Nicaea
• theater
• graffiti
• game
• game board

Ethical Statement

This paper has been prepared in accordance with research and publication ethics. This study does not require ethics committee approval.

Thanks

I would like to express my gratitude to the Excavation Director, Prof. Dr. Aygün Ekin Meriç, for granting me permission to study this material, and to the Deputy Excavation Director, Sevinç Gizem Memiş, for her valuable assistance with the drawings.

Nicaea Roma Tiyatrosunda Bulunan Grafiti Oyun Tablaları

Abstract

Bithynia Bölgesi’nin anıtsal yapılarından biri olan Nicaea (İznik) Roma Tiyatrosu, İmparator Traianus Dönemi’nde (MS 98-117) başlayan inşa sürecinden itibaren yüzyıllar boyunca kentin sanatsal, kültürel ve sosyal dinamiklerine ev sahipliği yapmıştır. Yapı, mimari görkeminin yanı sıra kent halkının gündelik yaşamı ve sosyal etkileşimlerine dair de somut izler barındırmaktadır. Bu izlerin en dikkat çekici örneklerini oluşturan kazınmış (grafiti) oyun tablaları, antik dönem insanının serbest zaman aktivitelerini ve kamusal alanların etkinlik dışı kullanım biçimlerini yansıtması açısından büyük önem taşımaktadır. Antik oyun kültürüne dair literatürde kapsamlı araştırmalar bulunsa da arkeolojik alanlarda henüz belgelenmemiş ve incelenmemiş çok sayıda grafitinin varlığı, bu alanda ciddi bir bilimsel boşluğa işaret etmektedir. Bu eksikliği gidermeyi amaçlayan çalışma kapsamında, Nicaea Roma Tiyatrosu’nun mimari blokları üzerinde tespit edilen dokuz adet grafiti oyun tablası ele alınmıştır.

Keywords

• Nicaea
• tiyatro
• grafiti
• oyun
• oyun tablası

Ethical Statement

Makale araştırma ve yayın etiğine uygun olarak hazırlanmıştır. Yapılan bu çalışma etik kurul izni gerektirmemektedir.

Thanks

Bu malzemeyi çalışma izni verdiği için Kazı Başkanı Sayın Prof. Dr. Aygün Ekin Meriç’e ve çizimler konusundaki değerli yardımları için Kazı Başkan Yardımcısı Sayın Sevinç Gizem Memiş’e teşekkürlerimi sunarım.

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