The 2,150-meter-high Mount Nemrut in Adıyaman is home to the Hierotheseion (the temple-tomb and house of the gods) built by the Commagene king Antiochos I (69-34 BC) as a monument in his name.
Mount Nemrut is a mesmerizing UNESCO World Heritage Site located in southeastern Turkey. This ancient mountain is home to monumental sculptures and an enigmatic tomb, offering visitors a unique cultural and historical experience. Built in the 1st century BC, the site was created by King Antiochus I, showcasing colossal statues of Greek and Persian deities. The highlight is the East Terrace, where sunrise and sunset provide a surreal backdrop to the 8-meter-tall statues. The site also features a burial mound, believed to house the king’s tomb, adding to its mysterious allure. With its astonishing blend of natural beauty and ancient architecture, Mount Nemrut appeals to both history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
The tumulus of Antiochus I, who ruled the Kingdom of Commagene in Syria and north of the Euphrates River after the collapse of Alexander’s empire, is one of the most ambitious structures of the Hellenistic period. Its intricate design and massive scale combined to create a project unrivaled in the ancient world. Some of the stone blocks used weigh up to nine tons. Highly sophisticated technology was used in the construction of the colossal statues and orthostats (stelae), unprecedented in this period.
The tumulus, 145 m in diameter and 50 m high, is surrounded on three sides by terraces on the east, west and north. Two separate ancient ceremonial paths radiate from the east and west terraces. On the upper level of the east and west terraces, five giant limestone statues, identified as gods by their inscriptions, face outwards from the tumulus. At each end of these are a pair of protective animal statues (a lion and an eagle). In one row are relief statues of Antiochos’ paternal Persian ancestors, and in the other row are relief statues of his maternal Macedonian ancestors. The inscriptions on the back of the stelae record the genealogical links. On the eastern side of the eastern terrace is a square altar platform.
On the west terrace are a series of stelae representing the special significance of Nemrut, scenes of Antiochus shaking hands with a deity (dexiosis), and a stele with a lion’s sign believed to indicate the date of construction of the cult site. The north terrace is long, narrow and rectangular and is home to a series of sandstone pedestals. There are no reliefs or inscriptions on the stelae next to the pedestals on the north terrace.
Listed in 1987 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Nemrut is one of the most valuable cultural treasures not only in Turkey but also in the world with its Hierotheseion, tumulus and statues.
