Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:50 AM Sayfa
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To which person or to which people did this castle, which could
survive to this day from old times, belong? We learn the answer to this
very question from the bilingual epitaphs placed in the body of the god
of storm. These epitaphs, written in both the Phoenician language and
Hittite hieroglyphs, provide us with unique information as to the
establishment of this place.
Asativatas, who introduced himself in the epitaphs as the King of
Adanava (Adana Plain), reported that he was supported by Urikki the
King of the Danunians of Antique Adana, that he himself had this
castle built and named it Azativataya, and that he came from the
lineage of Mopsos. Thus it is understood that this castle was built by
Asativatas in 740 BC as a border castle or a summer palace location.
In 1998, the sculpture whereby the god of storm is depicted on his
carriage pulled by two bulls, had been obtained in Çineköy-a village of
Adana. On a bilingual epitaph placed on the basalt pedestal of this
sculpture, Urikki the Danunian King addresses this time, and also
reports that he is from the lineage of Mopsos. Thanks to these
epitaphs, Urikki who was cited in the epitaph of Asativatas proves to
have existed based on another epitaph. As a result of new research, it
is claimed that Mopsos who up to the present time is believed to have
established some cities first in Klaros and then in Cilicia, after the
legendary Troian War, was not actually the legendary oracle, but that
he was actually a local king having a similar name.
The castle which was founded in the 7 th century BC by Asativatas, covers
an area of about 195x375 m.. The castle was surrounded by ramparts
which were 4 m. thick and which were supported by 28
battlements. Today, the outer ramparts of the castle, which face the
river, are flooded by the waters of the Aslantafl Dam. The 90 m.
section of the other outer rampart to the west of the castle, which
connects with the southern gate, another section of it which was also
supported by battlements, and another section of it facing the
northern gate still survive. The entry into the castle is through two
gates which are in the north and south. These gates which are
supported by towers are able to be reached by ramps. Both doors lead
to the inner courtyard. Inner walls of this place were adorned with
orthostates placed on pedestals made of basalt. From here, a perron is
Embossment of a god on a holy bull in Karatepe,
to the left of the southern gate of entry.