Nemrut, Adiyaman – Kahta, Turkey

Kingdom of Commagene is established at the beginning of the 1st century B.C. and it is a kingdom which goes out of existence by the Romans in A.D. 72 and maintains its rule in the region, including the current Adiyaman, Gaziantep and Maraş provinces. Its capital is the city of Arsameia in the foothills of Mount Nemrut and on the banks of the Nymph’s Stream (Kahta Stream). Other important cities of the Kingdom of Commagene are Samosata, Perhe, Doliche and Germanikeia Kaisareia. Commagene king Antiochus rules between 62-32 B.C. years.

Tumulus (tomb) of Commagene king Antiochus, located in Mount Nemrut, which is situated within the boundaries of current Adıyaman province and in 2150m. height from the sea, is in the shape of a conic hill, constituting stones in the first size and covers a field in 50m. height and in diameter of 150 m.. It is understood that bones or ashes of king are placed in a room, dug into a main rock, and covered with stones in the first size and a tumulus is constituted. Tumulus must have been constructed in the middle of the 1st century B.C. (in B.C. 50) probably. Tumulus, which is protected within Mount Nemrut National Park, is an important archaeological center with its location and mysterious sculptures. Common features of Greco-Persian sculpture art are seen in the sculptures.

Furthermore, the natural event, related to sunrise and sunset in the mountain, adds a separate fascinating and mysterious beauty to here. The ancient city of Arsameia, which is the capital of the Kingdom of Commagene, is located in the shore of the Kahta stream in 26km far from Kahta. Ancient structure remains, a tunnel with arcade and epigraph are seen in the place which is called Ancient Castle. The most attractive opus here is high relief opus that shows Commagene king dressed Mithridates shaking hands with naked Heracles. Cendere Bridge, which was built in honor of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus and his wife Iulia Domna and their sons Caracalla and Geta in 198-200 A.D., is located on Cendere stream, which is a branch of Kahta stream in 3km far from this ancient city. The mausoleums of the Commagene imperial family are located on Karakuş Hill, in 9km far from this bridge. Furthermore, there is a museum in Adiyaman, on the main road, in which archaeological and ethnographic works are exhibited.

Our Nemrut gallery below: