Archaelogical Data in Neokaisareia from the Roman and Byzantium Era

Abstract

This study aims to examine the historical development of Niksar from Hellenistic era to the end of the Byzantine Empire and presents an evaluation of the archaeological findings of the province belong to the Roman and Byzantine periods. Niksar is located on the roads connecting Black Sea region to central Anatolia that gained the area a strategic geographical position throughout history. The city was founded during the Kingdom of Pontus by the name Kaberia and particularly gained importance in the time of Mithridates VI (120-63 BCE). In 63 BCE, after Pompeius defeated Mithridates VI, Pontus became included in the Roman Empire. Kabeira has been organised as a new city by Pompeius and renamed as Diospolis (City of Zeus). In 40 BCE, after taking the management of eastern provinces of the empire, Marcus Antonius made some changes in the regulation in Anatolia and assigned the vassal Kingdom of Pontus and a part of the region that included Diospolis to Darius in 39 BCE and later in 37 BCE to Polemon I. After the death of Polemon I, his wife Pythodoris carried on with the rule. Pythodoris has improved the city of Diospolis to serve as a royal habitancy and renamed it as Sebaste in the honour of Emperor Augustus. The later sources record the city's name as Neokaisareia. Although the general opinion is held that the city has taken the name in the Tiberius period, it is also considered that this name could have been given in Emperor Nero's time (54-68 CE), during the state regulations of the period. The names of Kabeira, Diospolis, Sebaste and Neokaisareia have been used for the same settlement throughout history. Neokaisareia has been an important center in the emergence and spread of Christianity and the most important role in this process has been played by Gregorius Thaumaturgus. In 395 when the Roman Empire was divided, the city has become the part of Eastern Roman Empire known as Byzantine Empire today and it remained as such until conquered by Danishmends. The evaluation of archaeological data in Niksar concerning Roman and Byzantine periods include the necropolis remains dated to the Roman and Early Byzantine periods, building remains, which has got a cryptoporticus, bridges dated to the Late Roman-Early Byzantine period, floor mosaics of a remains dated to 6th century, a fortress and churches located in central area of the city.