Abstract:

Recommended as the same place as the sacred mountain of the ancient Karios, the Keldağ, in the Lydia region, has a strategic importance with its location and height in the western part of the Little Menderes valley area. The mountain of Karios is discussed in the records of ancient writers Ksanthus and Eumeles. On the other hand, a sacred mountain description is made by the geographer Strabon in the area, in the dominant position of the oval and marked by a Persian structure of white stone on it, but the author has no information that this mountain is Karios. The mountain is quite close to Strabon's prescriptions, and it is reasonable that the mountain that the author indicates is localized as the mountain. A natural rock arrangement on the top of the Keldağ (fire altar?) In terms of its conformity to Persian religious practices, Strabon is associated with the qualification of the "holy mountain" and a religious use that has been continued since the early periods here is also emphasized. But the real question here is whether the Keldağ is also the Karios mountain. There are no satisfying archaeological data to say that the Karios mountain, which is discussed with Zeus Karios Mabedi on the texts of other ancient authors, may be a cave, and this situation also leads to the discussion of the different mountain possibilities in the region.

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Abstract:

Keldağ, proposed as the same place as the Karios sacred mountain of the ancient period as strategic importance with its location and height in the western part of the Caystrus valley of the Lydia Region. Some significant information regarding Ancient Mount Karios were recorded by ancient writers Xsanthus and Eumeles. On the other hand, a sacred mountain in the region, dominating the plain and having a white stone Persian structure was description by Strabon, the geographer. But no information regarding that this mountain is Kroios, is given by the author. But the mountain mentioned by Strabon is quite in accordance with the mount and has a strong resemblance to Keldağ. A natural rocky arrangement recently found out (altar of fire?) at the summit of Keldağ coincides with the descriptions of the Strabon such as sacred mountain” and an exedra built by Persians. However, the real question here is whether Keldağ is also Mount Karios. In the texts of other ancient authors, there is no archaeological data in order to say that the mountain Karios, which is the exact location of the Zeus Karios Shrine is Keldağ. Therefore, this will come up for discussion of other mountain possibilities at the location.