Research Information System
Olba, vol.20, no.1, pp.201-244, 2012 (Scopus)
During the excavations, some of the carved panels which constitute the subject of this study were discovered, broken and scattered around and others were found as substitute materials reused in later buildings or structures. For this reason, the broken pieces of these carved panels, which decorated the caldarium room of the Empire's Bath, are classified in order to explain the general condition of these panels. The focus has been primarily laid on the typological and functional structures of these panels. All of the panels found in the excavations lead in Tralleis were made of white marble with blue patterns. These panels, which look like wall panels are rectangular in shape and have profiled frames. Some parts of these panels have figures considering a Marine Thiasos. In Ancient Greek and Roman art, both in carved sculptures, in small art works (Gemme, Cameo, Silver Utensils etc.) or in mosaic floors, it is common to see the marine festival: Ketos, Hippocampus, Tritons, Marine Cantors, Nereid who are carried by mixed sea creatures like sea-lions or sea-tigers, portrayed half-naked with their waving scarves. Based on the examination of these themes on the carved panels found at Tralleis, the scenes of Marine Thiasos iconographically represent the nakedness of bath culture, joy of water and the mythological image of ancient life.