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On top of Mount Nemrut lies the
final resting place of the
Commagene kingdom's most famous
and egocentric ruler, Antiochus
I, a tomb beneath an artificial
mountain peak of piled stones.
Archaeologists have yet to
discover a way to open the "tomb
to rival that of Tutankhamen"
without destroying everything.
The Eastern Terrace, from where
one can watch a miraculous dawn,
has five sitting statues of
Antiochus I and his celestial
relatives, who each represent
both Greek and Persian deities.
Further around, the western
temple has further statues,
reliefs and inscriptions,
including the world's first
horoscope: that of Antiochus on
the coronation of his father,
Mithradates, on July 14thy 109
BCE. This site is on UNESCO's
World Heritage List.
The road up to the summit passes
the Karakush (Blackbird) Tumulus
of Antiochus' wife, the 2,000
year-old Roman Cendere Bridge,
and Arsameia, the ancient
capital of the Commagene kingdom
with the famous relief of
Hercules and Mithradates I
 Callinicus
shaking hands. |
