Augustus Period Bridges of Cilicia Pedias (Plain Cilicia)

Cilicia, located in the southern part of Asia Minor, was historically divided into two distinct regions: Tracheia and Pedias, based on its topographic features. The term "Pedias" refers to the area extending from Soloi Pompeiopolis or the Lamos River to the Gulf of Iskenderun. Within this region, there are two stone bridges, attributed to the Roman period, that are situated close to each other and display similar architectural characteristics. The first bridge, known as the Kozan Bridge, is located in the Kozan District, while the second, called the Tozlu Bridge, is situated in the Kadirli District of Osmaniye. The Kozan and Tozlu bridges share architectural similarities; however, uncertainties remain regarding their precise dating. The objective of this study is to resolve these uncertainties. To achieve this, the architectural features of the two bridges will be compared analogically with other examples, both within the region and across distant geographies once under Roman control. In addition to architectural analysis, the study will also consider ancient building practices in Cilicia and the broader political context of the period to determine when and for what purposes these bridges were constructed.