Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:52 AM Sayfa
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high, have managed to survive in reasonably good condition. They
are protected by the symbols of an eagle and lion. As the traditions
and beliefs of the Hittite, Persian and Hellenistic Periods combined
in the Kingdom of Commagene to form a new religion, these giant
statues bore the attributes of more than one god amalgamated into
a single figure. The first figure on the left bears the attributes of
Apollo, Mithra, Helios and Hermes, while the second figure
represents the fertility goddess of the Commagene. Tyche of
Fortuna, the third figure, represents Zeus Oromasdes and the
Persian Ahuramazda.
The fourth figure is Antiochos I while the fifth figure combines
Hercules-Artagnes and Aries. They are represented together with lion
and eagle figures. The heads of some of the gods and goddesses, such
as Tyche, are broken and have fallen to the ground. The facial features
of these statues reveal the idealized forms of the late Hellenistic
Period. Some of the gods wear a diadem, while the goddess has a
garland of fruits on her forehead, which was decorated with a feather.
The bases around the eastern courtyard bear inscriptions giving
details of the ceremonies carried out here. References are made to the
birthdays of the kings and to the laws of the kingdom. The statues on
the western terrace are similarly arranged. Here, Antiochos I shakes
hands with the gods. The 19 stars and crescent moon on the trunk of
the lion represent the date of Anthiochos’ accession to the throne,
7 June 62 BC. The tumulus is situated on solid rock and is constructed
of stones the size of a fist. This leads one to think that the solid rock
of the mountainside was once covered with rubble. The excavations of
Professor Theresa Goell have confirmed this hypothesis.
The northern terrace is in the form of a ceremonial road, slabs lying
on the ground were once the part of a wall measuring 3 m. high, 80 m.
long. This road runs to the summit, passing through an entrance portal
in the center of the terrace wall. The portal is guarded by a massive
eagle figure. The gestures of the figure of the king and the general
arrangement of the sacred terrace, is extremely interesting and
provides much important information about ancient Hittite culture.
Head of Anthiochos I on Mt. Nemrud. Similar statues are to be found on the
western slopes of the mountain. Astrological symbols are seen on the lion
figures in this group, from which can be read the date of 7 July, the year
62 BC, which is when Antiochos was appointed to the throne by Pompeius.