Nemrut Dağı - Mount Nemrod
Eagle head representing Zeus on top of Mount Nemrut
The region that lies between the Taurus Mountains and the Euphrates was
called Commagene during the Greek and Roman periods. Commagene was established
originally as an independent kingdom in 162 BC by Mithridates Kalinikos I.
Mithridates brought together Persians and Macedonians and other communities in
the area to found this powerful state and named it Commagene, which means
"community of genes" in Greek. The kingdom was at the height of its
splendor during the period of King Antiochos I (69-36 B.C.), who succeeded
Mithridates. Most of the archeological remains which survive to our times,
including the tumulus at the peak of Nemrut Dag, which still refuses to reveal
all its secrets, are from the time of Antiochos I.
Mount Nimrod can be reached easiest from Kahta (54 km). A tour of about
3 hours takes you to the top. On the way you visit the other remains of
Commagene: Karakuş with the graves of the royal ladies, the Cendere Bridge
that spans the Kahta Cay, and the site of Arsemia ad Nymphaios, the ancient
capital. Nemrut Dag combines 8-10 meter-tall statues, the likes of
which are to be seen nowhere else in the world, a pyramid located at a height of
2,000 meters, a king's tomb, whose precise location has not yet been determined,
the world's oldest horoscope, and a mixture of ancient Greek and Persian art
styles. Thus, it is little surprise that archeology circles refer to Nemrut Dağı
as "the eighth wonder of the world."
After being several times in this area, I'm convinced Kommagene Hotel –
Camping
Tel. ((0416)-715 10 92 - 725 55 48) is the
best place to be.
For more info on Commagene and some video, please click
here
Click on the thumbnails to get a greater picture
