Archaeologists in the ancient Greek city of Nicaea (Greek: Νίκαια), present-day İznik in Turkey, have uncovered richly decorated Roman mosaics and graves believed to be linked to a high-ranking figure, possibly a military commander.
The discovery sheds new light on elite life and urban development in this key Anatolian center during the Roman Empire.
Excavations reveal mosaics in İznik necropolis
The find emerged from ongoing excavations at the Hisardere necropolis, a significant burial site on İznik’s outskirts. Archaeologists from the İznik Museum Directorate uncovered three Roman-era graves and the mosaic-covered floor of a basilica. The revelation has drawn academic attention and sparked coverage in international media.
İznik'te Roma dönemine ait mozaik ve mezarlar bulundu. pic.twitter.com/dqP4y9BWCv
— News Turkic (@newsturkic) August 4, 2025
A highlight of the discovery is a mosaic panel that likely adorned the reception area of a private villa. The artwork features interwoven serpents and human figures, rendered with exceptional craftsmanship. Experts believe it was commissioned by an individual of high social and political standing.
“The artistic quality and iconographic content of the mosaics, along with their location near elite tombs, point to a residence connected with the upper echelons of Roman provincial society,” said Dr. Ayşe Güngör, an archaeologist working on the site.
Serpent motifs point to elite Roman identity
Serpent motifs, tied in Roman mythology to healing, protection, and military power, strengthen the theory that the villa belonged to a prominent owner. Researchers say the find highlights how provincial elites used architecture and decorative art to express identity and influence.
Nicaea’s importance in antiquity adds weight to the discovery. Founded in the 4th century BCE and rebuilt by Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great’s successors, the city later became a major center in the kingdom of Bithynia.
4 medeniyete başkentlik yapmış ve yeni Papa’nın ziyaret edeceğini açıklandığı tarihi kent İznik dünya gündeminde olmaya devam ederken, İznik Müze Müdürlüğü Roma dönemine ait yeni mezar, üzerinde yılan ve insan figürleri bulunan renkli mozaik keşfetti. pic.twitter.com/ecMotda39y
— Hürriyet.com.tr (@Hurriyet) August 5, 2025
It was incorporated into the Roman Empire in 74 BCE and grew into a thriving political, religious, and cultural hub. Despite its incorporation into Rome, the city remained deeply rooted in Greek traditions — its language, art, and civic life reflected strong Hellenistic influence that blended with Roman styles.
Archaeologists suggest the serpent imagery may draw from both Roman and Greek beliefs. In Greek tradition, serpents were linked to Asclepius, the god of healing, while in Roman contexts they symbolized protection and military power.
Site’s history and ongoing preservation efforts
The site was first identified in 2014 during infrastructure work, prompting rescue excavations. Property disputes delayed further study for years, but full-scale excavations resumed in 2024, revealing the villa’s mosaics and nearby burial grounds.
Specialists in art history, epigraphy, and conservation are now studying the artifacts to uncover inscriptions or personal items that might identify the villa’s owner. Preservation teams are stabilizing the mosaics and plan to integrate the site into İznik’s heritage tourism program.
“This discovery not only enhances our understanding of Roman residential life but also reaffirms İznik’s place as one of Türkiye’s most important ancient cities,” Güngör said.
Excavations continue, and experts say each new layer brings more insight into the city’s role as a seat of power and culture in the Roman world.
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