Germanicia Ancient City is an ancient settlement located in the Karamaraş area within the Dulkadiroğlu district of Kahramanmaraş province in southeastern Türkiye. During the Roman Empire period, the city was known as Kaisareia Germanikeia, named after Roman Emperor Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. The ancient settlement dates back to the Late Roman and Early Byzantine periods and is particularly notable for its floor mosaics in terms of archaeology and art history.
Historical Background
Kahramanmaraş and its surroundings have been under the control of various civilizations since the 1st millennium BCE, including the Hittites, Assyrians, Seleucids, and the Kingdom of Commagene. The region came under Roman control in 64 BCE following a campaign against the Seleucid Kingdom and was included within the province of Syria. Later, during the Byzantine period, it fell within the boundaries of the Theodorias province.
The name Germanicia was one of the honorary titles given in Rome to emphasize the loyalty of cities and their relationship with the empire. Throughout Late Antiquity, Germanicia played a role in the administrative and commercial networks of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Archaeological Excavations
The first tangible archaeological findings at the city emerged in 2007 after a report of illegal excavations in the Karamaraş area. The mosaics uncovered during these illegal digs were documented through rescue excavations led by the Kahramanmaraş Archaeology Museum. Work in this region, heavily affected by modern construction, was simultaneously supported by expropriation and protection efforts.
Floor Mosaics (AA)
Mosaics and Artistic Approach
The mosaics uncovered in Germanicia are the primary findings that demonstrate the artistic and cultural significance of the ancient city. These mosaics were generally used as floor coverings in private residences. Most mosaics date from the Late Roman (3rd–5th centuries CE) and Early Byzantine (5th–7th centuries CE) periods.
Small stone and glass pieces (tesserae) were selected in a wide range of colors to add detail to the compositions. The mosaics include plant and geometric motifs, scenes from daily life, human and animal figures, and depictions of contemporary architecture.
The diversity of motifs indicates that Germanicia mosaics were not merely decorative but also functioned as narrative tools reflecting the aesthetic sensibilities and social values of the period. In terms of iconography and technique, they share similarities with other examples from the Commagene region, showing a local style while interacting with the broader Eastern Mediterranean artistic tradition.
Germanicia Floor Mosaic ( Culture Portal)
City Layout and Architecture
Information about the topography and architectural layout of Germanicia Ancient City is limited to the findings from excavations. Although the city’s exact boundaries have not yet been fully determined, available data suggest that the settlement was largely built around villa-style structures. In this context, most mosaicked buildings appear to belong to private residences.
Archaeological findings indicate a dense villa-type settlement, though public structures (e.g., forum, baths, theater) have not yet been unearthed. The city’s boundaries and spatial organization remain unclear due to modern construction overlaying the ancient site.
Floor Mosaics (AA)
Conservation and Exhibition Efforts
The mosaics recovered from Germanicia Ancient City are displayed at the Kahramanmaraş Archaeology Museum. Additionally, a special exhibition area called the Germanicia Mosaic Area has been established, aiming to preserve the mosaics in situ and open them to visitors. Future project phases include covering the mosaic areas to present them in an open-air museum format. As part of conservation efforts, expropriations continue in the archaeological site, and zoning plans are being revised to control new construction. At the same time, modern methods such as digital documentation and 3D modeling are being used to archive archaeological data.
