Arsameia Ancient City The ancient city of Arsameia was discovered in 1951, when a tablet with an inscription was found at its center. This discovery prompted researchers to explore the city and its captivating history. The inscription on the tablet reveals that the city’s founder was a man named Arsemes, a direct ancestor of Antiochus I, who lived in the first half of the 3rd century. However, most of the structures that remain today were built by Antiochus I himself, who later renamed the city to "Hierothesion," which translates to a sacred site designated for burial. The Arsameia Historical Site is located on steep cliffs, and to access its structures, visitors must walk along a path that was once used as a ceremonial road. Along the way, visitors can see relief stelae, rock-carved monuments, the largest inscription in Turkey, a tunnel structure, and the remains of architectural sites at the summit. These sculptures are referred to as ktismata in the inscription. At the core of the ruins is an inscription that stretches across five columns, consisting of a total of 256 lines. On the opposite side, there is a sacred corridor that can be accessed by a long staircase. Next to the inscription is a stone carving depicting King Antiochus I of Commagene shaking hands with the god Heracles. Scholars believe that the dexiosis symbols along the Sacred Road were intended to offer a welcoming gesture for travelers along the ceremonial path. In the mosaic floor, King Antiochus I is shown shaking hands with a deity. The reliefs suggest that King Antiochus saw himself as equal to the gods and referred to himself as the God King. If you have any questions or inquiries, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply message us via WhatsApp, and we will respond as soon as possible.