During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the region that lies between the Taurus Mountains and the Euphrates, which encompassed the regions of Adıyaman, Maraş and Gaziantep, was called Commagene.

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 geness 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 Nemrod can be reached easiest from the Kurdish town of Kahta (54 km) in the Adiyaman province. 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, and the site of Arsameia ad Nymphaios, the ancient capital of Commagene.

Our visit starts at Mount Karakuş, a tumulus at a distance of 12 km of the Kurdish village of Kahta near Adiyaman. This tumulus is thought to belong to the wife of Antiochos I. It is surrounded on four sides by columns. One of the columns is capped by the Roman eagle and another bears a relief of King Mithridates.

The bridge over the Cendere, a tributary to the river Kahta (Nymphaios), was built to honor the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 197 AD. It is constructed with a single arch and as such a typical example of Roman architecture. The bridge has a height of 18m and a length of 30m. Four columns decorated the bridge, two at each side. They represent the Emperor Septimus Severus, his wife Julia Domna and his two sons Caracalla and Geta. After the death of the Emperor, Geta was killed during the wall of accession and Caracalla ordered his brother's column to be removed. Therefore, only three columns remain.

Eski Kale (Old Castle) is the Turkish name for the ancient Commagene capital of Arsameia ad Nymphaios. A short walk uphill leads us to a large stele depicting either the sun god Mithras or the greek god Apollo. Further, uphill there is a stone relief depicting Mithridates I shaking hands with the greek hero Heracles. Next to it there is a cave temple that descends 158m through the rock. It was probably used for rites concerning the worshipping of Mithras.

• Karakuş - Tumulus Karakuş - Tumulus
• Karakuş - Column capped by eagle Karakuş - Column capped by eagle
• Karakuş - Columns Karakuş - Columns
• Karakuş - Columns Karakuş - Columns
• Panoramic View on Commagene Panoramic View on Commagene
• Cendere Bridge Cendere Bridge
• Cendere Cendere
• Kahta River Kahta River
• Kahta River Kahta River
• Scenery at Arsameia Scenery at Arsameia
• Scenery at Arsameia Scenery at Arsameia
• Arsameia Stele depicting Mithras-Apollo Arsameia Stele depicting Mithras-Apollo
• Stele of Heracles and King Antioch Stele of Heracles and King Antioch
• Arsameia - Cave connected to Mithras cult Arsameia - Cave connected to Mithras cult
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Nemrut Dağı combines 8-10 meter-tall sculptures, 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 arrival at the visitor's center, it is a 600m (20 minutes) hike to the summit. The road takes us first to the eastern terrace where we are confronted with five giant sculptures on a podium. The statues are between 2 and 10 meters high and are in a reasonable condition, although their heads have fallen to the ground. For sunset visits, the western terrace is the place to be. Moreover, the statues are of greater beauty than those of the eastern terrace.

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 stay at Kahta. The photos on this page are from our 2002 tour of Eastern Turkey, coming from Urfa.

• It is a 600 m hike to the summit It is a 600 m hike to the summit
• Sunset at Mount Nemrut Sunset at Mount Nemrut
• Tumulus at the summit Tumulus at the summit
• Statue trunks on the eastern terrace Statue trunks on the eastern terrace
• Eastern terrace lion Eastern terrace lion
• Western terrace lion horoscope Western terrace lion horoscope
• Western terrace Western terrace
• Western terrace Western terrace
• Western terrace - Statue head of Antioch I Western terrace - Statue head of Antioch I
• Western terrace - Statue head of Zeus Western terrace - Statue head of Zeus
• Western terrace - Eagle head Western terrace - Eagle head
• Western terrace - Statue head of Zeus Western terrace - Statue head of Zeus
• Western terrace Western terrace
• Western terrace - Inscription Western terrace - Inscription
• Western terrace Western terrace
• Western terrace Western terrace
• Our guide and driver in traditional Kurdish costume Our guide and driver in traditional Kurdish costume
• Goodbye to our guide Mahmut Goodbye to our guide Mahmut
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