Many writers from the ancient era as
Strabon, Plinius and so on had mentioned the Zeugma name. Selevkos Nikator One of the generals of
Alexander the Great founded the
city and derived the name of the city
from euhrates river and his name. City started to known Selevkia ad
Euphrates. Across the city he founded
another city and built a bridge connecting these two cities. He gifted and
dedicated the second city to his wife Apameia so city started to called
Apameia. City was given as a wedding
gift to Kommagane civilizations after the marriage of the Kommagane king and
daughter of Selevkos (Leodike) . The son
of Leodike : Anthiokhos the first had
the statues built over Mount Nemrut .
Zeugma stayed as one of the biggest city for 40 years in kommagane
kingdom. The name Zeugma which meaning bridge , transition was given to city
after reigned by the roman empire 64 A.D
Silk road
extending from Antakya to China was passing from Zeugma . Precious stones, spices, silk and many other
goods were traded in Agora of Zeugma
. Seals found over 100.000 in the
excavations prove the Zeugma`s importance in communication and trading.
Over the hill
ascending 300 mt temple of Tyche ( protector of merchants and city ) was built. The hill dominating the valley and shaped as
eagle was reflecting the glory of Zeugma.
Temple of thyce was also used on the coins they produced. On the northern part of the city under soil ,
Agora, Odeon , Hamams, on the western part , theater , military base, on the
north western Villas and work shops exist.
Villas and
houses were decorated with unique mosaics.
Mythological Characters and gods depicted
on mosaics. The colours of the found mosaics are still so fresh as they were
made yesterday.
Most of the Zeugma city today unfortunately under water due to the
dam built at birecik. Remnants and found monuments, pieces today exhibited in
Gaziantep mosaic museum.