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History of Commagene
Orondes, the Persian satrap of Commagene, assisted the Persian king
Artaxerxes II (404-359 BC) in battle in 401 BC. In return, Artaxerxes II
gave Orondes his daughter in marriage. Later Commagenian kings would claim
Persian descent on this basis. After Alexander the Great’s death, his
empire was divided among his generals, and Commagene was made a satrapy of
the Seleucid kingdom with its capital at Antioch-on-the-Orontes (modern
Antakya). When the Seleucids lost to Rome at the Battle of Magnesia, Samos
I of Commagene declared Commagene’s independence in 163 BC. His grandson,
Mithridates I Callinicus married the daughter of the Seleucid king
Antiochus VIII Grypus, allowing their son Antiochus I Theos of Commagene to
claim both Seleucid and Persian descent. |
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Colossal Statues
The east and west terraces consisted of courts. The side of the court
against the tumulus was lined with colossal limestone seated statues 23-26
feet (7-8 m) tall. The colossal statues represent Antiochus I Theos, the
personification of the kingdom of Commagene, Zeus-Oromasdes,
Apollo-Mithras, and Heracles-Artagnes-Ares. The compound deity names
reflect the Persian, Greek and Roman influence on the cultural and
religious history of Commagene. |
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Greek Inscription
The backs of the colossal statues contain a Greek inscription with
genealogies, dedications, and instructions for cult celebration and
maintenance. Nemrut Dag was discovered by Karl Sester in 1881. From 1953 to
1956, Theresa B. Goell conducted excavations on behalf of the American
Schools of Oriental Research. In 1984, restoration work was begun by
Friedrich Karl Dörner, and since 1989 has continued under Sencer Şahin. |
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