Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • Australia
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Home
  2. Bing Gallery
  3. Australia
  4. 2021
  5. February 02
  6. Colossal limestone statues on Mount Nemrut, Adıyaman, Turkey
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Colossal limestone statues on Mount Nemrut, Adıyaman, Turkey

February 02, 2021

Colossal limestone statues on Mount Nemrut, Adıyaman, Turkey

© Peerakit JIrachetthakun/Getty Image

The mountaintop of toppled gods

The ruins on Mount Nemrut depict a gaggle of gods from both Greek and Persian traditions, plus a few deities the emperor Antiochus I made up himself. The range of spiritual faiths represented in the statues found near the 2,100-metre summit reflects southeastern Turkey's long history as a crossroads of cultures. Today, the derelict statues are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 70 BCE, Antiochus took power here in Commagene, one of several small one-time states formed from the shambles of the Seleucid Empire. Looking to unify his populace, he synthesised a mythology that hailed Greek and Persian figures, from Ares to Zarathustra - plus the emperor himself and his family. Antiochus' claim to godhood wasn't eternal, as he was deposed in 31 BCE, but sometime before that he cemented his customised state religion in history by having its partial pantheon - including, of course, himself - carved into stone statues on the peak overlooking his kingdom.

rock outdoor cloud sky canyon valley rocky landscape stone sunset ruin nature ruins castle sunrise

Related Images

Jotunheimen National Park in NorwayJotunheimen National Park in Norway
Castildetierra in the Bardenas Reales, Navarre, SpainCastildetierra in the Bardenas Reales, Navarre, Spain
Zion National Park, Utah, United StatesZion National Park, Utah, United States
Hot air balloons over Göreme Historical National Park in Cappadocia, TürkiyeHot air balloons over Göreme Historical National Park in Cappadocia, Türkiye
Kachina Bridge, Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, United StatesKachina Bridge, Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, United States
Sandstone formations in the badlands near Caineville, Utah, United StatesSandstone formations in the badlands near Caineville, Utah, United States
Red rock formations, Sedona, Arizona, United StatesRed rock formations, Sedona, Arizona, United States
Desert bighorn sheep in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, United StatesDesert bighorn sheep in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, United States

Today on Bing

Young alpine marmot

Young alpine marmot

Feb 02, 2025
Marmot peeking out of its burrow

Marmot peeking out of its burrow

Feb 02, 2024
Alpine marmots

Alpine marmots

Feb 02, 2023
Alpine marmot, High Tauern National Park, Austria

Alpine marmot, High Tauern National Park, Austria

Feb 02, 2022
Meerkat family huddling together

Meerkat family huddling together

Feb 02, 2020
Aerial view of central Oxford, England

Aerial view of central Oxford, England

Feb 02, 2019

Related Tags

nature canyon mountain landscape sky outdoor valley cloud rock hillside desert hill overlooking plant tree stone distance lush sunrise sunset
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.