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Journals / Uludağ Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 27 Sayı: 52

GRAFFITI GAME BOARDS FOUND IN THE ROMAN THEATRE IN NICAEA

Nicaea Roma Tiyatrosunda Bulunan Grafiti Oyun Tablaları

Nihal Kardoruk(KÜLTÜR VE TURİZM BAKANLIĞI)0000-0002-6299-1810
Pages
1117–1139
Publication Date
2026-09-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Aiming to address this deficiency, this study focuses on nine graffiti game boards identified on the architectural blocks of the Nicaea Roman Theater.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis: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).
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Key Findings & Data:In addition to its architectural grandeur, the structure bears tangible traces of the daily life and social interactions of the city’s inhabitants.
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Conclusion & Impact:Aiming to address this deficiency, this study focuses on nine graffiti game boards identified on the architectural blocks of the Nicaea Roman Theater.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Nicaea · tiyatro · grafiti

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.

Özet

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.

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Cite This Article

Kardoruk, N. (2026). GRAFFITI GAME BOARDS FOUND IN THE ROMAN THEATRE IN NICAEA. Uludağ Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 27 Sayı: 52, 1117–1139. https://doi.org/10.21550/sosbilder.1983006

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