Mount Nemrut is a 2,134 m high mountain in southeastern Turkey, notable for the summit where a number of large statues are erected around what is assumed to be a royal tomb from the 1st century BC.
My freind loves the sunrise, and she was going to the ruins of Mt. Nemrut at 4:40 A.M. I followed her reluctantly.
Arrived at the ruins at 5:40.
The sun was coming out gradually.
The mausoleum of Antiochus I (69–34 B.C.), who reigned over Commagene, a kingdom founded north of Syria and the Euphrates after the breakup of Alexander’s empire, is one of the most ambitious constructions of the Hellenistic period. The syncretism of its pantheon, and the lineage of its kings, which can be traced back through two sets of legends, Greek and Persian, is evidence of the dual origin of this kingdom’s culture.
The Ruins of Mount Nemrut in the morning sunlight .
Crowning one of the highest peaks of the Eastern Taurus mountain range in south-east Turkey, Nemrut Dağ is the Hierotheseion (temple-tomb and house of the gods) built by the late Hellenistic King Antiochos I of Commagene (69-34 B.C.) as a monument to himself.
Monumental statues; The Throne of the East Terrace of the ruins
Reconstruction of the monumental statues and Dexiosisreliefs of the west terrace by Humann, in 1890. (This image is from Wikipedia.)
With a diameter of 145 m, the 50 m high funerary mound of stone chips is surrounded on three sides by terraces to the east, west and north directions.
Eagle Head, Apollon, Commagene, Zeus
Apollon and Herakles, Eagle and Lions Head
After this, walking to the west terrace from the east terrace.
Nemrut Dağı Map (This map from PlanetWare.com.)
View from Mount Nemrut
The West Terrace of Mount Nemrut
This heap of these pebbles is the mausoleum of the king of Antiochos.
West Terrace; God of Zeus, Commagene, Eagle Head, Commagene and Herakles
West Terrace; Reliefs of Persian Ancestors
West terrace; Eagle and Lion from sand stones
The Kingdom of Commagene was an ancient Armenian kingdom of the Hellenistic period, located in and around the ancient city of Samosata, which served as its capital.
View from the West Terrace
My friend was taking a lot of pictures. I got some photos from her for this blog. I appreciate it.
Now, it’s time to say “good by” to this wonderful ruins.
Going down this slope.
I was impressed by these remains very much.
weepingredorger 