Ancient City of Pompeipolis

The Ancient City of Pompeiopolis was founded in 64 BCE by the Roman general Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus within the framework of Rome’s romanization policies in northern Anatolia, built atop an earlier settlement. Its purpose was to reorganize the region militarily and administratively following the dissolution of the Kingdom of Pontus, and it derived its name from its founder. During its foundation, populations from surrounding villages were relocated to the new city, enabling rapid development. Under the rule of Marcus Aurelius’s son-in-law Claudius Severus, Pompeiopolis became the capital of Paphlagonia and was known by the title “Metropolis Sebaste.”

The Ancient City of Pompeiopolis (Culture Portal)

Geographical Location and Administrative Structure

Pompeiopolis lies within the boundaries of Paphlagonia, in today’s Taşköprü district of Kastamonu province, situated in the Gökırmak (Amnias) valley. The city was positioned on expansive plateaus bordered by the Küre Mountains to the north and the Ilgaz Mountains to the south, at a strategic intersection of ancient roads extending east-west and north-south. The administrative system established by Pompeius was based on the Lex Pompeia, a constitutional framework in which every citizen belonged to a community and was governed by magistrates aged over thirty. This system remained in effect until the 2nd century CE.

Historical Development and the Roman Period

In 6/5 BCE, Pompeiopolis was incorporated into the province of Galatia and became one of the capitals of Paphlagonia. The spread of the imperial cult during Augustus’s reign reflects how the city’s political and religious structures were shaped by Roman influence. Honorific inscriptions and coins bearing the names of Roman emperors such as Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, and Septimius Severus attest to Pompeiopolis’s close ties with Rome. The titles used on its coinage reflect the city’s significance during this period. Cults of deities including Zeus, Helios, Isis, Serapis, and Athena were prominent in the city.

Religious Organization and the Christian Period

With the spread of Christianity, Pompeiopolis became a bishopric and was elevated to the status of archbishopric between 536 and 553 CE. From the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE onward, the city was represented at numerous church councils. This period underscores the city’s importance as a religious center within the region.

Attacks and Decline

Beginning in the 7th century CE, Arab and Sassanian raids caused significant destruction in the city. As Pompeiopolis lacked any defensive wall system, its inhabitants relocated to a site 6 km northeast, later known as Kızlar Kalesi. During this transition, building stones from the ancient city were reused in the construction of the new settlement.

The Turkish Period and the Middle Ages

The region where Pompeiopolis stood was captured by Emir Karatigin Bey in 1084 and permanently came under Turkish rule in 1211–1212 under Çobanoğlu Hüsameddin Bey. The ancient city on Zımbıllı Tepesi was abandoned, and settlement shifted to the present-day district of Taşköprü. During the Çobanoğulları period, intensive Turkish settlement occurred, and the names of the settled tribes have survived to the present day.

Archaeological Discoveries and Excavations

The ancient city is located on the Zımbıllı Tepesi mound, where the first rescue excavations were conducted by the Kastamonu Archaeology Museum in 1983 and 1994. The 1983 excavations uncovered a Roman villa with a mosaic-covered floor. Mosaics such as the “Burçlar Mosaic,” the “Nereid and Triton Scene,” and the mosaic bearing the inscription “Good for Good” were discovered during these excavations. The 1994 excavations revealed evidence of the city’s continued existence during the Late Roman and Early Byzantine periods.

Ancient Roads and Trade Network

Pompeiopolis occupied a strategic position along Roman roads that connected the Black Sea region to central Anatolia. The road passing through the city was frequently repaired during the Roman period and became a major route during Trajan’s eastern campaigns. The city’s development was directly linked to its integration into this road network.

Destruction and Conservation Status

Over time, Zımbıllı Tepesi and its surroundings were used as a stone quarry; building stones and columns were removed from their original locations and reused in construction projects. During 20th-century road and building construction, numerous archaeological finds were uncovered, some of which were collected in areas such as the fire station garden, while most were indiscriminately buried. Agricultural activity, erosion, illegal excavations, and urbanization have caused severe damage to the surface remains of the city.

Water Infrastructure

The city’s water supply was sourced from Aygır Dağı, located 5–6 km northwest of Taşköprü, and transported via covered aqueducts. Remains of these water channels were uncovered during excavations in 1984. The water infrastructure indicates the presence of an advanced level of urban life in the city.

Current Status and Significance

The Ancient City of Pompeiopolis stands out for its strong Roman settlement and rich archaeological finds. Mosaic-paved villas, water infrastructure, temple remains, inscriptions, and coins document the city’s importance during the Roman and Byzantine periods. However, the majority of the site remains threatened by agriculture and urban development. With its extensive surface spread, architectural remains, and stratigraphic potential, Pompeiopolis is a significant settlement for understanding Roman urban planning and the history of the Paphlagonia region.