Orta Bizans Dönemi Kabartma Yüzlü Sütun Başlığı Örneğinde Bezeme Unsurlarının Tipolojik İşlevselliği

What is it about?

The capitals of the Middle Byzantine period are creations of an entirely new form and orientation of their time, by the transfer of canonical elements of ancient prototypes to the Late Antique-Early Byzantine period and by variations modelled on the capital typology of the period. Typologically, there are specific forms which must be distinguished by subtitles; for example, under the definition of Corinthian title. Three column capitals with mascarons in the Hierapolis stone works collection of Pamukkale Archaeology Museum are also entirely metamorphic examples of this type. The reason for reconsidering these capitals, which are published on the catalogues regarding the region, museum researches and Middle Byzantine period capitals classification, is to examine the transfer of these motifs to the capitals, which are also applied on various architectural elements. Since the relationship of the titles with Laodikeia and the structure they may belong to is unknown, it is not possible in this study to reach conclusions on the architectural context. The abacus, remaining from a classical Corinthian capital, consists of a volute that has lost its load-bearing function, and four leaves. The leaves are also in a form, similar to Corinth-palmette type capitals. The most notable feature of the capitals are the mascarons that unite with the abacus flower and extend downwards. Although it is possible to think that they have a special symbolic connotation, it is not easy to prove this assumption. These capitals, which constitute a series, have a mixed type where different decorations are brought together. Three capitals in this form are examples that are produced specifically for a structure as a regional diversity of the capitals of the Middle Byzantine period.

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