PARİON TİYATROSUN’DA BULUNAN GLADİATÖR GRAFFİTOLARI

Abstract

Parion is one of the most important cities in Ancient Troad and it is in the territory of modern village of Kemer of Canakkale- Biga. The excavation began in 2005 at the necropolis. The surveys and excavations conducted during this time yielded important information about the settlement process of the ancient town. The findings from some public buildings and from the southern necropolis indicate that Parion was settled from the 7th century BC up to the 13th century AD. Parion’s theater was built on the west side of the bell tower, which we thought was the center of the city, very close to the Roman Baths, not far from the Agora and Odeion. Excavations at the theater of Parion were started in 2006 on the late period wall on the orchestra, followed by the stage podium, proscenium, cavea and the part of the orchestra. This article introduces gladiator graffiti in the theater. 5 gladiators carved on two large marble blocks and a face given from the left profile are the most important ones of these graffitis. These graffitis are of great importance in the Roman period, at the theater of Parion, showing that Gladiator fights were conducted at that time.