Perched on the banks of the mighty Euphrates River, Zeugma is a captivating ancient city that whispers tales of Hellenistic grandeur, Roman ambition, and the artistic legacy of a civilization that once flourished.
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Introduction to Zeugma
Zeugma is an ancient Greco-Roman city located in modern-day Gaziantep, Turkey, on the banks of the Euphrates River. Once a major trade and military center, it thrived for over 500 years, reaching its peak under Seleucid and Roman rule, before falling into decline and being largely forgotten for over 1,500 years.
Much of what we know about Zeugma today comes from decades of work by Turkish and international archaeologists. Since 2005, the site’s excavations have been directed by Prof. Dr. Kutalmış Görkay of Ankara University.
Today, it is best known for its breathtaking mosaics, some of which were saved from destruction as parts of the site were submerged by the Birecik Dam in the early 2000s.
Zeugma was founded around 300 BCE by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, and later the founder of the Seleucid Empire. The city was strategically positioned on the Euphrates River, making it an important military outpost and a vital link in trade routes connecting the Mediterranean to the Persian Empire and Central Asia.
The name “Zeugma” (meaning “bridge” or “crossing” in Greek) reflects its function as a key river crossing, where a pontoon bridge once allowed merchants, soldiers, and travelers to move between the eastern and western parts of the ancient world.
Zeugma embodied Alexander’s vision of a Hellenized East, blending Greek, Persian, and local Anatolian cultures. Its architecture, economy, and art reflected the fusion Alexander had set in motion—a world where Greek ideals met Eastern traditions. Without Alexander’s conquests, Zeugma would never have existed.
Seleucus I Nicator
Seleucus I Nicator (c. 358 BCE – 281 BCE)
After Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BCE, his empire was divided among his generals, the Diadochi, in a brutal power struggle. Seleucus I Nicator emerged as ruler of the largest portion, stretching from Anatolia to Central Asia, and founded Zeugma around 300 BCE as a key military and trade hub. His ambition eventually led to his downfall—after securing much of Alexander’s former empire, he set his sights on Macedonia, only to be assassinated in 281 BCE before achieving his goal. Zeugma remained a Seleucid stronghold for centuries, but by the 1st century BCE, the once-mighty Seleucid Empire had crumbled due to internal conflicts and wars with rival kingdoms.
From Seleucid Stronghold to Roman Jewel
General Pompey of Rome seized control of the weakened Seleucid territories, bringing Zeugma under Roman rule. This marked the beginning of Zeugma’s second prime, as it became a key frontier city and home to the Legio IV Scythica, a crucial Roman military force. The city thrived as a Silk Road hub, where merchants, Roman officials, and traders from Mesopotamia exchanged silk, spices, and luxury goods. Lavish villas, bustling markets, and intricate mosaics defined its golden age—until 256 CE, when the Sassanid Persians sacked Zeugma, leaving it in ruins. Though some remained under Byzantine and early Islamic rule, its prime had ended.
Byzantine & Early Islamic Periods: A Slow Fade Into Obscurity
Byzantine Era (4th–7th Century CE): Holding On to the Past
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, Zeugma remained under Eastern Roman (Byzantine) control.
Christianity spread, and Zeugma likely had churches and small religious communities, though no major Byzantine architectural remains survive.
By the 7th century, as the Byzantines struggled to hold onto their eastern territories, a new power emerged—the Islamic Caliphates.
Early Islamic Rule (7th–9th Century CE): The Final Decline
7th Century – Zeugma fell into Arab hands during the early Islamic conquests,
The city never fully recovered from centuries of warfare and gradually dwindled into small settlements.
By the 9th century, Zeugma was effectively abandoned.
Zeugma’s Rediscovery & The Race to Save It
Although people in the region had always known there were “old stones” on the hill above the Euphrates, the ruins of Zeugma first drew serious scholarly attention in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when European travellers and archaeologists began to document the site.
In the 1910s, British archaeologist Leonard Woolley recorded its remains, but for decades Zeugma stayed mostly forgotten under fields and village houses.
Everything changed in the late 20th century. In the 1980s and 1990s, Turkish archaeologists and the Gaziantep Archaeology Museum began more systematic surveys and rescue excavations at Belkıs/Zeugma, uncovering impressive mosaics and sculptures just as plans for the Birecik Dam threatened to flood much of the ancient city.
When the dam project accelerated around 2000, Zeugma suddenly became a global headline: international teams, supported by the
Packard Humanities Institute and led in the field by Turkish and foreign archaeologists, launched an emergency campaign to document, excavate and save as many villas and mosaics as possible before the waters rose.
Two Decades of Dedication and Excellence
In the years that followed, Prof. Dr. Kutalmış Görkay of Ankara University emerged as one of the key figures in Zeugma’s story. After contributing to the post-excavation work and publications from the 2000 rescue project, he took over as director of the Zeugma excavations in 2005, continuing long-term research on the city’s houses, sanctuaries and stunning floor mosaics.
Among the many archaeologists who have worked here is Damla Arslan, now one of the guides at The Other Tour, who literally helped unearth some of Zeugma’s “lost” treasures. When she talks about the site today, she’s not just telling a story from a book – she’s remembering mornings on the hill above the Euphrates, brushing soil off mosaics that hadn’t seen sunlight in over 1,500 years.
Ancient City of Zeugma
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Although the site is relatively isolated, with minimal infrastructure, and many of its treasures are now housed in the museum, there are still interesting historical remains that might interest History enthusiasts:
- City Walls & Fortifications – Some sections of Zeugma’s defensive structures are still standing.
- Roman Streets & Foundations – The remains of Roman-era houses, streets, and infrastructure.
- Temple Ruins – Partial remains of religious structures dedicated to gods from Greek and Roman traditions.
- Excavation Areas – Some parts of Zeugma are still being studied by archaeologists, and visitors can see ongoing excavation work.
- The Euphrates River View – Standing on the banks of the river gives a sense of why this location was so strategically important in ancient times.
Zeugma Mosaic Museum
Opened in 2011, the Zeugma Mosaic Museum is the largest mosaic museum in the world, displaying priceless artworks rescued from the ancient city.
The Gypsy Girl
Often referred to as the Mona Lisa of Zeugma. This haunting mosaic fragment, believed to be part of a larger scene, is known for its mysterious, lifelike gaze that seems to follow the viewer from every angle.
Professor Görkay often describes Zeugma as a city where the daily life of the Roman elite is almost frozen in time – dining rooms, courtyards, and private bath complexes still decorated with scenes from Greek mythology.
The Tethys Mosaic
In this depiction, Tethys is adorned with marine creatures woven into her hair, symbolizing her dominion over the vast and mysterious depths. This mosaic was once part of a grand Roman bath or villa, emphasizing the Romans’ reverence for water as a source of both life and luxury.
The Dionysian Feast
It depicts Dionysus, the god of wine, surrounded by his wild followers, the Maenads and satyrs, reveling in a drunken celebration.
Roman Villas
A section of the museum recreates the original layout of Roman homes, showing how mosaics once adorned elite households.
How to Explore Zeugma Today
Visiting this nearly erased by the time city today is more than just seeing ancient artifacts—it’s stepping into a lost world that once shaped the ancient East and West.
Getting to Zeugma Ancient City
Getting to the Zeugma Archaeological Site (Ancient City)
The ancient ruins are near Belkıs village, about 50 km (1-hour drive) from Gaziantep city center.
- By Car: The easiest way is to rent a car or hire a private driver. The roads are in good condition, and signage is available.
- By Taxi: You can take a taxi from Gaziantep, but agree on a round-trip price beforehand, as taxis are not readily available at the site for the return trip.
- By Public Transport: There are limited minibusses from Nizip (a town near Zeugma), but this option is not recommended for tourists due to infrequent schedules.
Best Way to Visit?
Hiring a local guide is highly recommended, as there is minimal signage at the ancient site. Furkan Emre from The Other Tour is an excellent choice—he brings Zeugma’s history, mosaics, and ruins to life with expert storytelling.
Contact Us for an Expert Guide
A trip to Zeugma offers an immersive dive into ancient history, art, and trade, showcasing a city that once thrived at the crossroads of civilizations. It remains a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, archaeology lovers, and travelers fascinated by the cultural fusion of the Greco-Roman world and the East.
Discover the enduring legacy of Zeugma and see firsthand how this ancient city of mosaics, military power, and commerce shaped the artistic and economic landscapes of its time.
