Abstract:

Ancient Bithynia is a region in the northwest of Asia Minor, bounded by Pontus Euxenios to the north, Hellespontos and Rhyndakos to the west, and the Sangarios river to the south. The Bithynia Region was established as an independent kingdom in the Hellenistic period and thereafter became a province of the Roman Empire in 74 BC. Thus, the eastern borders of the province expanded. After the Provincia of Bithynia came under the rule of Roman Empire, reconstruction activities started in the region and within this scope, monumental structures such as city walls, temples, theaters, lighthouses, port structures and gymnasions were built. This architectural texture of the cities is depicted on the reverse of many coins minted in the name of the cities of Bithynia, for the purpose of political propaganda, thanks to the financial assistance of the Roman Emperors. According to the coins with architectural depictions, the temples were dedicated to gods and goddesses such as Dionysus, Demeter, Asclepius, Apollon, Heracles and Fortuna, who were respected in the cities of Bithynia. In addition, it is understood that these temples were built in the name of the agon games performed for the emperors. The location of many of the structures depicted is unknown. The location of many of the structures depicted is unknown. However, according to the comparisons made with similar city plans, it is thought that the temples may be on the foundations of the existing churches. As a result, in this article, the building program of the cities in the province of Bithynia was examined in the light of the coins with architectural depictions in the Roman Imperial period.