Roman-Era Fibula and Coin with ‘River God’ Imagery Discovered in Ancient City of Hadrianopolis

Excavations in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, located in Karabuk’s Eskipazar district, unearthed a Roman-era fibula (brooch) and a coin depicting the “River God” motif.

Recent excavations in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, situated within Karabuk’s Eskipazar district, have unearthed a Roman-era fibula (brooch) and a coin adorned with the “River God” motif. This discovery provides a captivating glimpse into the rich cultural fabric of a city that was inhabited during the Late Chalcolithic, Roman, and Early Byzantine periods.

The excavation site is part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s "Legacy to the Future" project and is being overseen by Karabuk University’s Faculty of Archaeology, led by associate professor Ersin Celikbas.

The site has yielded remarkable structures, including two baths, two churches embellished with intricate mosaics, a defense structure, rock-cut tombs, and a collection of monumental buildings, collectively contributing to Hadrianopolis’s renowned status as “the Black Sea’s Zeugma.”

Among the recent discoveries are a fibula of the arbalest type, dating to the fifth century, and a coin from the second century that features an engraving of the “River God” and the inscription “Kezios.” This inscription identifies the coin as originating from Hadrianopolis and sheds light on the ancient name of the Eskipazar River.

According to professor Celikbas, the presence of the coin in a tomb suggests that it may have been placed as a Charon coin, a symbolic payment to the ferryman of the dead, indicating the continuation of the Charon tradition in the Roman Empire during the second century.

“This year, the findings have been significant,” said Celikbas, regarding the current excavation, which focused on the southern necropolis and an area designated as "SDJ-3."

The southern necropolis has offered substantial insight into Roman-era burial customs, with discoveries ranging from the second-century coin to fifth-century artifacts.

“The discovery of a Charon coin in the tomb underscores the continuity of the ancient Roman tradition here, while findings of other artifacts show burial practices remained consistent for about 300 years,” remarked Celikbas.

The discovery also highlights Hadrianopolis’ role as a Roman military base in southern Paphlagonia. Artifacts like the fibula, a functional and decorative clasp used for clothing, serve to emphasize the dual aesthetic and practical purposes of such items in antiquity.

“These artifacts provide a profound understanding of the era’s culture, art, and religious beliefs, and we’re both surprised and thrilled by the findings,” added Celikbas.

Hadrianopolis: A Roman Military Hub in Paphlagonia

The presence of Roman relics in these burial sites suggests that Hadrianopolis may have functioned as a strategic military outpost in the region. Notably, the area is renowned for its unique rock-cut tombs and is currently the only ancient site in southern Paphlagonia where necropolis excavations are being conducted.

The artifacts not only showcase Roman military influence but also suggest that soldiers were among those interred in the city’s extensive burial grounds.

With each discovery, Hadrianopolis continues to unravel its role as a cultural and military stronghold within the Roman Empire, enriching Türkiye’s historical narrative with invaluable insights into ancient life and traditions.