History and archaeology / Ancient city
Zeugma Ancient City
Nizip, Gaziantep
An ancient city on the banks of the Euphrates, founded by Seleucus I and famous for its mosaic-decorated Roman villas; the excavated villas are toured under protective roofs.
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Its story
The city was founded around 300 BC on the west bank of the Euphrates by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, under the name Seleucia; because it was connected by a bridge to Apamea on the opposite bank, it took the name Zeugma, meaning 'bridge, crossing'. In the Commagene and Roman periods it became an important garrison and trading city whose population reached tens of thousands; it was destroyed by the Sasanians in AD 253. In 2000 the waters of the Birecik Dam covered part of the city; the mosaics recovered in the emergency rescue excavations are in the Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep. Today, at the archaeological site, the Roman villas under protective roofs and walkways can be toured; it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2012.
Key facts
- Period
- 300 BC – 7th century AD
- Admission
- Paid (Müzekart valid)
- Getting there
- Belkıs neighborhood, Nizip; ~50 km from Gaziantep
- Visit duration
- 1.5 hours
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Day trip
Location
37.05731, 37.87061
Where to eat nearby
No food & drink venues listed nearby.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeugma | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeugma_(Commagene) | https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?SectionId=GZO01&DistId=MRK | https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/692162182