In 62 BC, King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene constructed a monumental tomb-sanctuary on the summit of Mount Nemrut, located in southeastern Turkey at an elevation of 2,134 meters. This remarkable site, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a unique blend of Greek, Persian, and Armenian cultural elements.
The tomb-sanctuary, known as a hierothesion, consists of a large tumulus flanked by terraces. The tumulus, measuring 50 meters in height and 150 meters in diameter, is made of small limestone rocks. It is believed to contain the tomb of Antiochus, though the exact location of the burial chamber remains undiscovered despite numerous excavations.
On the eastern and western terraces, Antiochus commissioned the construction of colossal statues, each standing 8-9 meters tall. These statues depict himself seated among various gods, including Zeus-Oromasdes, Apollo-Mithras-Helios-Hermes, Heracles-Artagnes-Ares, and the goddess Commagene. The statues originally had heads attached to the seated bodies, but at some point in history, the heads were removed and are now scattered around the site.
In addition to the statues, the terraces feature large limestone slabs with bas-relief figures, thought to have formed a large frieze. These slabs depict Antiochus’ Greek and Persian ancestors, emphasizing his claim to both lineages.
The western terrace contains a notable artifact known as the “lion horoscope,” a large slab showing a lion with an arrangement of stars and planets. This celestial chart is believed to depict the sky on July 7, 62 BC, possibly indicating the start date of the monument’s construction.
Antiochus established a religious cult centered around himself, blending Zoroastrian and Greek traditions. He decreed that his birthday and coronation day be celebrated monthly with feasts and rituals performed by appointed priests and hierodules.
The site was rediscovered in 1881 by Karl Sester, a German engineer, and has since been the subject of multiple archaeological campaigns. Despite extensive research, many mysteries surrounding Mount Nemrut remain unsolved, including the location of Antiochus’ actual burial chamber and the original arrangement of the statues.
