Nemrut Dagi
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Topping the karst limestone mountain of Nemrut Dagi (2,150m/7,056ft) in the southeastern Taurus 90km/56mi northeast of Adiyaman is the Hierothesion of the Kommagene King Antiochus I (69-38 B.C.), dedicated to his own glory and that of the gods. Antiochus' tomb is concealed somewhere inside the 50m/164ft high man-made burial mound, with its spectacular terraces on three sides (east, north and west). The 80m/260ft-long north terrace, lined with (collapsed) columns, served as a place of assembly and arena for processions and other rituals.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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A similar arrangement is repeated on the west terrace, which is some 10m/33ft lower than the east. Here the heads of the colossal statues are better preserved and there are also more of them. The "Lion Horoscope" with its astral motifs symbolizes the deification of Antiochus I through the metamorphosis of king into star.
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