Close-up of the head of Apollo-Mithra-Helios-Hermes, on the west terrace. The multiple names of the god indicate his syncretic nature: Greek and Persian. Mithra is the Old Persian (Zoroastrian) angelic divinity of covenant and oath, in addition to being the divinity of contracts, Mithra is also a judicial figure, an all-seeing protector of Truth.

There has been some academic discussions about the two beardless ‘portraits’, as to know which one is to attribute to king Antiochus (and consequently the other to Apollo). In the report for the World Heritage List of the Unesco, the head with the ears partly visible is attributed to Apollo – and the one where the cap covers the ears completely, to king Antiochus.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: File 448: ‘Nemrut Dağı’ – World Heritage List, Unesco (see: whc.unesco.org) ,