Karakuş Tumulus

Description

The monumental burial mound made for the female members of the Kommagene royal family, famous for its eagle statue.

Story

Karakuş Tumulus is one of the most important monumental tombs of the Kingdom of Commagene and serves as a complement to the main tomb monument on Mount Nemrut. This tumulus was built by King II. Mithridates in the 1st century BC for his mother Isias, his sister Laodice, and other female members of the royal family. It takes its name from the eagle statue (Karakuş) located at the summit of the monument. The tumulus is surrounded by monumental columns decorated in Roman and Commagene styles. On these columns, there were reliefs of lions and eagles, as well as depictions of the royal family, honoring them. Due to the destruction experienced throughout history, most of the statues have been lost or fragmented. Today, one of the standing columns features the eagle statue that gives the tumulus its name, symbolizing power and royal authority. On another column located right next to the Karakuş Tumulus, there is a relief of Laodice, the sister of Antiochos. This monument holds great value in demonstrating the importance of women in the Kingdom of Commagene and the richness of monumental tomb architecture during the Hellenistic period. Its proximity to the Cendere Bridge indicates that these two structures were intentionally built along the same route.

Visit Tips

• Entry to the tumulus is free and open at all hours of the day.
• For the best photo angles, shoot the eagle statue and the columns in the light of sunrise/sunset.
• There are walking paths around the tumulus.
• The Cendere Bridge can be easily visited as it is on the same route as Arsameia.

Photos