A group of seven column capitals from Roman Ancyra : a unique composite style

Abstract

This thesis focuses on seven column capitals from Roman Ancyra. They have a specific style, which is unique to Ancyra, featuring acanthus leaves, lotus leaves, and flutes. Their context is established by providing a general survey of the various fluted capitals in Ankara, before these specific “Ancyran-style” capitals are discussed in detail. By examining their current locations and comparing photographs from different dates, it is possible to speculate on their original find-spot. Furthermore, by analyzing the location, one can propose the type of Roman structures they were associated with originally, and establish a compatibility between these structures and the capitals. In this case, it appears that the seven capitals came from a colonnaded street intersecting the “Temple of Augustus” sanctuary. The style of the capitals is also analyzed, including a commentary on the historical use of the motifs and their corresponding symbolism. From this analysis we see that the flutes and lotus these capitals employ both very likely bear a reference to Egyptian Alexandria, so the final section also examines the myriad connections between Ancyra and Alexandria in order to place the Egyptianized style they use within the proper context of the period, as the cultural trappings of Hellenistic Alexandria were popular in the cities of Asia Minor at the time.