Mount Nemrut Tumulus

The entire site lies between the villages of Sincik, Tepehan, Gerger and Eski Kahta, and the whole area has many different points of interest. Beyond the entrance to the site is a 50m high tumulus with a diameter of 150m made up of small rocks, which dates back to the 1st century BC. The Commagene King Antiochus I constructed this magnificent monument for himself; a grave chamber and holy areas surrounding it on three sides giving perfect views of the sunrise and sunset, as well as panoramic views of hundreds of kilometres. He purposely selected such a high peak in order to gain the maximum impact.

It is surrounded by three terraces, on which ceremonies were organised in memory of the late King. The east and west terraces have a similar layout, with statues of the seated gods.

TERRACES

Eastern Terrace

Antiochus put his own statue within the row of gods, displaying his assumption of being equal with his ‘ancestors’. The others are Apollo, son of the leader of the gods; Fortuna, meaning luck or abundance in Latin; Zeus in the centre, leader of the gods and ruler of the sky; King Antiochus himself; and Hercules, the symbol of power and might.

At each end is the lion, the king of animals and symbolising the power in the world, and the eagle, which is the messenger of gods and represents celestial power. Each one is several metres high, the heads alone measuring two metres. The figures are mainly decapitated, having been damaged by earthquakes, and lying rather eerily on the ground are the heads and fragments of the lion and eagle.

North Terrace

It is a 10 meters long ceremonial road which connects west and east terraces. There are 80 meters long uncompleted steel pedestals.

Western Terrace

The gallery of the gods is similar to that on the eastern terrace, but the main difference being five sandstone reliefs. These have been well preserved and depict Antiochus shaking hands with Apollo, Zeus and Hercules, as befitting his rather over-inflated ego. The names of the gods are written in both Greek and Persian, mainly because of his claims of being descended from Alexander the Great (Greek/Macedonian), and Darius the Great (King of ancient Persia). He positioned the faces of the gods to the west and east, in order to unite the ethnic difference of his ancestors and enhance its cultural richness.
 

KOMMAGENE PIECES of ARTS


Arsameia Ruins (Nymphaios Arsameia)

According to inscriptions by Antiochus, Arsameia was the summer capital and administrative centre of the Kingdom, founded at the beginning of the 2nd century BC by Arsemez, a descendent of Kommadenes.

An embossed pillar of Mitras is at the ceremonial road at the south, and an undamaged relief of Mithridates I shaking hands with Heracles. In front of this is the largest known Greek inscription in Anatolia, and to the right is a tunnel descending to a depth of 158m through the rock. On the platform over the hill is a monument and palace of Mithridates I, the foundations of the capital, and excavations revealed numerous statue remains including a queen and the head of Antiochus.

 

New Castle

Near the village of Kocahisar (Eski Kahta), Yeni Kale was constructed by the Commagenes and used alongside Arsameia, opposite. The castle, which was restored by the Romans and then the Mamluks, had its most recent renovations in the 1970s. Within the site are a bazaar, mosque, dungeon, aqueducts, dovecote ruins and various inscriptions. The aqueduct, which descends from the castle to Nymphois, is connected to Arsameia via a tunnel, with water reachable via this 80m route.

Karakuş Tumulus (Women Monument)

This 35m high monument was constructed by Mithridates II, as a memorial to his mother Isas. Situated 10km north of Kahta at the entrance to Nemrut Dagi, it was created to hold the royal ladies of Commagene. Four columns surround the site, each around 10m high, and surmounted by the large figures of an eagle and a lion.

Cendere Bridge

Northeast of Karakus tumulus, this surviving Roman bridge spans the Kahta river in one single arch at its narrowest point and contains 92 course cut stones each weighing around 10 tons. There are a total of three columns at the entrance and exit of the bridge, around 10m high. It was constructed in early 200 AD by the 16th Roman Legion, which established its headquarters in Samsat further south. According to inscriptions the Roman ruler Septumus Severus built it in the name of his wife, Julia Domna.

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