Jonah's Pillar

About 10km/6mi north of Iskenderun is Arrian's Pass (Derbent), a narrow passage between the sea and the hills. In medieval times the pass, then probably a frontier and customs post of Little Armenia, was known as Passus Portellae or Portella. On the pass can be seen Jonah's Pillar, a remnant of a Roman building which is variously interpreted as a Seleucid triumphal arch, an obelisk, the remains of a fort and a triumphal arch erected by Pescenius. The 13th century writer Willebrand of Oldenburg records a legend that Alexander's remains were deposited on this "gate of liberation" so that the kings and princes who had been compelled by Alexander to bow their heads before him should still have him above them in death. According to local