Akın TEMÜR

Merve ÇELİK

Having emerged in the classical period, Corinthian capitals were very popular and widely used in the Roman Empire. Based on designs of Roman Empire structures, methods used, architectural arrangements in the city, public structures and their functions, and based on the depictions on Bityhnian coins belonging to the Roman period, this study covers capitals that are thought to exist in the city and that must belong to colonized structures in the Corinthian order. Intensification movements occurring in Anatolia during the reign of Hadrian in the Empire also continued during the Severan period, and these movements were observed in the city of Bithynia. The city had privileges being the birthplace of Antinoos during Hadrian period, and architectural structuring was more concentrated. Corinthian capitals found in the Bolu Museum inventory are also one of the most important evidences of this structuring. As a result of excavations and studies conducted, among Corinth capitals obtained from many architectural structures in the city of Bolu, those brought to the museum constitute the main subject of research. The aim of this study is to discuss style characteristics of Corinth capitals that functioned as a decoration element and carrier element in structures in question, and to address problem of localization. In this context, studies were carried out considering socioeconomic structure, political and religious values of the city during the Roman Empire period. As a result of these studies, it was determined that Corinthian capitals show characteristics of different period in their style developments and compositions, in this respect, these capitals were grouped under three types and divided according to their periodic developments.

Keywords: Bolu Museum, Bithynion, Bithynia Region, Corinthian Capitals, Roman Architecture