Date of Award
2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program
Classics
Supervisor
Dr. Martin Beckmann
Abstract
Geophysical surveying conducted within the palaestra of the second century CE bath-gymnasium complex at the Roman site of Nysa in southwestern Turkey revealed two unexpected subterranean features. Partially excavated during the 2009 and 2010 dig seasons, these linear structures appear to have been used to carry flowing water. In an effort to identify parallels for these channels and to understand their function and use within the palaestra, a survey of water features, both within palaestrae and in other contexts across the Mediterranean, was conducted. Although no direct parallels were found, the so-called euripi (decorative water channels) found in Roman public and private gardens, public courtyards and those from Roman circuses provide the best functional parallel for the water channels at Nysa. This thesis will not only present these findings, but also offer some conclusions about what these channels were used for and why they were included in a second century CE palaestra.
Recommended Citation
Hardman, Amanda Allene, "The Water Features in the Nysa Gymnasium Palaestra in Asia Minor" (2011). Digitized Theses. 3751.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3751