An unknown Roman bridge on sangarius and ancient road system around it

Abstract

Not only do road systems serve dominance claims, but they also occupy a vital place as a power instrument. Road systems, made use of, at war, through transportation of army, are also an indispensable instrument for trade network as well as taking the existence of state back of the beyond. In this context, Roman Empire, while generating one of the most important elements for humankind, was able to take its influence, through these road nets constituted by bridges and milestone, to the lands dominated. Courier service has great importance for the rendering of power. In Roman period, the main road, from Belgrade via Edirne (Adrianople) to Istanbul strait, had been extending to Izmit (Nikomedia), passing to Anatolia side. Thus, Izmit that, until the establishment of Istanbul (Constantinapole), was the center of Roman Empire in Asia Minor had rendered a service as a first distribution point of Anatolian road system. From there, routes, leading to Black Sea (Phontus) coasts, were covering a distance to the territorial enclaves of Anatolia. Hence, the main road, extending from İzmit to Anatolia, was leading to Iznik (Nikaea) and from there via Osmaneli (Lefke) was bifurcating through Ankara (Ancyra) and Eskişehir (Dorylaion). Milestones, bridges and roads fitted with stones, still existent, have the evidences for this road nets. Sakarya River (Sangarios) was one of the obstacles in the proceeding of the road net reaching to Lefke surroundings. It was extremely hard to cross this ferocious river described as a hell by traveler Ibn Battuta. Romans had built enormous bridges to cross this obstacle dominating the main road. Even though none of these bridges reached today, their remnants have certain clues. The bridge, to which we refer, is located close to Selçik Village encountered at 3 kilometers far from and northwest of Osmaneli province. This bridge, following the milestones, is one of the most important points of main road extending to Anatolia. In this context we have determined another bridge remnant in the same place through our field research. This ultimate bridge, constructed by six arches, three of which is under the water, was devastated by this river. In this study, this bridge, having no records in literature, will be dealt with the road net surrounding it, and the remnants of this road net penetrating into Anatolia will, also, be examined.Keywords: Sangarius, The Pilgrim’s Road, Roman Bridges, Lefke, Roman and Byzantine Roads