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The mausoleum belonging to the queens of Commagene Kingdom, is named Karakuş (Black Bird) by the locals for the eagle sculpture on a column. Karakuş Mausoleum was also an important Temenos (holy place) for the people of Commagene. Mithradates II, who ruled after his father King Antiochos Theos, built this mausoleum for his mother Isias, about whom he said she was the most beatiful woman in the world. His sisters, Laodike and Antiochis who was married to Persian Princes and killed during the Persian-Roman War, also buried to this mausoleum by their brother besides their mother. In the Karakuş Tumulus, there are four Commagene Queens was buried. There were five columns surrounding the Tumulus, however one of them were destroyed and other four are still standing. The eagle on the south side column represents the celestial power, the bull on the east side represents the earth power. The hand shaking image on the west side one represents the Mithradates and the God of Sun Apollo. The lion on the north side damaged severely. The mausoleum, the Holy Temenos which was built in 36-38 B.C, was took its share from the destruction of the temples of the people of Commagene during the invasion of Roman Empire...

The mausoleum belonging to the queens of Commagene Kingdom, is named Karakuş (Black Bird) by the locals for the eagle sculpture on a column. Karakuş Mausoleum was also an important Temenos (holy place) for the people of Commagene. Mithradates II, who ruled after his father King Antiochos Theos, built this mausoleum for his mother Isias, about whom he said she was the most beatiful woman in the world. His sisters, Laodike and Antiochis who was married to Persian Princes and killed during the Persian-Roman War, also buried to this mausoleum by their brother besides their mother. In the Karakuş Tumulus, there are four Commagene Queens was buried. There were five columns surrounding the Tumulus, however one of them were destroyed and other four are still standing. The eagle on the south side column represents the celestial power, the bull on the east side represents the earth power. The hand shaking image on the west side one represents the Mithradates and the God of Sun Apollo. The lion on the north side damaged severely. The mausoleum, the Holy Temenos which was built in 36-38 B.C, was took its share from the destruction of the temples of the people of Commagene during the invasion of Roman Empire...