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Zeugma (Belkis)
Unless otherwise indicated, pictures on this page © Marco Prins and Jona Lendering. Photos can be downloaded and used for non-commercial purposes, but you have to acknowledge Livius.
Zeugma (litt.: "bridge") was one of the places where the river Euphrates could be crossed. The city was the place where one crossed from the Mediterranean world to the ancient Near East and many merchants visited Zeugma, which became rich. Archaeologists have unearthed many splendid mosaics.
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Belkis tepe, site of a sanctuary of Tyche. Photo Jona Lendering. The river crossing was of great strategic importance, and we know, for example, that the Romans stationed the Fourth legion Scythica at Zeugma. This picture shows Belkis tepe, site of a sanctuary of Tyche, and many pistachio trees. Here you can see the site on a satellite photo. The hill is easily recognizable.
Roman villa at Zeugma. Photo Marco Prins. In the 1990's, the Turkish government built a large dam in the Euphrates near Birecik. The famous mosaics of Zeugma were saved but most of the ruins are now submerged. This picture shows the remains of a Roman villa; in the background, one can see the dam.
Zeugma and the Euphrates. Photo Marco Prins. Zeugma and the Euphrates.
Detail of a column. Photo Marco Prins. Detail of a column.
One of the mosaics, showing a married couple, now in the museum of Gazi Antep.

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