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The mausoleum built at a point overlooking the whole region can be seen easily from all sides. The tumulus has a diameter of 110 meters and a height of 21 meters and is covered with stones brought from the Kâhta Stream (Kahta Çayı). The Tumulus was built in a conical style and looks like an artificial hill. Today, the tumulus is partially covered with soil and cut crushed stones.
The Karakuş Tumulus (Karakuş Tümülüsü) takes its name from the 2.54 m high magnificent eagle statue standing on a column in the south. The eagle is the messenger of Zeus, the greatest ancient diety, and at the same time symbolizes the dominance of Commagene over the sky.
The Karakuş tumulus was built by Mithridates II (36-21 BCE), the son of Antiochus I, for his mother Isias. The tomb contains the graves of his mother Isias, and his sisters Leodike, Antiochis, and the daughter of Antiochis, Aka.
When the tumulus was first built, it was surrounded by nine columns, in groups of three. Only four of the columns, which are 7.05 - 7.65 meters high, have remained till today.
