Surveys of the Route-Network in West Pamphylia: A New Portion of the Via Sebaste Extending Between Perge and Klimax

Abstract

This paper presents the results of surveys conducted in the western territory of Perge, the first step of the west Pamphyia survey project in establishing the ancient road-network in west Pamphylia. During the course of these surveys, the remains of the Via Sebaste extending from Perge to Klimax (today's Döşeme Boğazı) which was built under the supervision of the Governor of Galatia, Cornutus Aquila, in 6 B.C. on the order of Augustus, the buildings along the road and three epitaphs, all cited below, were documented for the first time.1.A Roman necropolis and two epitaphs have been identified at Ketirkızıllı area. 13.2 km. north-northwest of the Varsak Municipality. An inscription from Kırkgözhan shows the western border of Perge's territory extended this far and, consequently this necropolis may have stood within the territory of Perge.2.About 1 km. southeast of the necropolis area in Ketirkızıllı area there is a group of buildings that may have belonged to a mansiol and behind there is a cistern with a triangular roof, which has undergone repairs in later periods.3.Ruins at Öşükkale: 5.1 km. southeast of the ruins in the Ketirkızıllı area there are the ruins of a church and an olive oil mill.4.Ruins at Kapaklikale: 1.5 km. southeast of the ruins at Öşükkale there are two towers flanking the Via Sebaste, together with a church and an inscribed tombstone, all now inventoried. This group of buildings functioned as a farmstead with tower in addition to guarding the road passing through. 300 m. to the south of these ruins is a rock-cut cistern with a rectangular entry in the front and having a round back.5.The first traces of the Via Sebaste were attested to lying between two groups of build-ings in the ruins at Kapaklikale. The road identified is cut from the bedrock and is 3.60 m. wide extending in a south-eastern direction. Traces of the stone pavement of the road were preserved in the Köseler area of Hotuşlar Village. A little to the south of this area there are many secondary roads branching off this main road that provided access to the numerous stone quarries that have been identified in the region. These quarries should have belonged to Perge, the metropolis of Pamphylia. The remains of the Via Sebaste disappear about 1.5 km. north of the Gaziler Village/Akçalar Quarter, located about 6 km. northeast of Varsak Municipality. Here there are water canals hewn from the bedrock that form the parapet walls ön either side of the road.From the evidence presented above and taking into consideration the Hellenistic watchtower on Asar Tepe near Ekşili district, the Via Sebaste continues from the Döşeme Boğazı to the building group that may be termed a mansio by the necropolis area in the Ketirkızıllı area and then continues on to the ruins at Kapaklikale, bypassing the ruins at Öşükkale. The first traces of the road were attested here. The road could be traced for about 7 km. from Kapaklikale and it disappeared near the Akçalar Quarter.Translations of the inscriptions that were documented:1.Moles, son of Arteimas, had this empty tomb built for himself, his wife Elpidous and their common children. No other person is allowed (to be buried here). Anybody who attempts to do so will owe (... denaria to the chest of ...).2.Aurelius Merkouris, son of Trokondas, had this empty tomb built, while he was still alive, for himself and his wife Aurelia Demiourgia and their common children.3.We (I so and so and my wife so and so) had this base built for our children. Their brother Hermeis, son of Diogenes, erected it for their memory.