Arsameia Ancient City The ancient city of Arsameia was only brought to light in 1951, following the discovery of a tablet with an inscription at its center. This led researchers to uncover the city and its fascinating history. According to the tablet's inscription, the founder of Arsameia was a man named Arsemes, who was a paternal ancestor of Antiochus I and lived during the first half of the 3rd century. However, most of the remains that still exist today were actually constructed by Antiochus I himself, who renamed the city "Hierothesion," meaning a sacred area set aside for burial. The Arsameia Historical Site is situated on steep cliffs, and to reach its structures, visitors must traverse a pathway that was once used as a ceremonial road. Along this path, visitors can view relief stelae, rock-carved monuments, the largest inscription in Turkey, the tunnel structure, and remnants of architectural sites at the peak. These sculptures are now referred to as ktismata in the inscription. At the heart of the ruins lies an inscription that spans across five columns, with a total of 256 lines. On the opposite side is a sacred corridor that can be reached by a lengthy stairway. Adjacent to the inscription is a stone carving showing King Antiochus I of Commagene shaking hands with the god Heracles. Scholars believe that the dexiosis symbols placed along the Sacred Road were meant to serve as a welcoming relief for travelers along the processional path. In the mosaic floor, King Antiochus I is depicted shaking hands with a deity. The relief-pictures suggest that King Antiochus considered himself to be on equal footing with the gods and described himself as the God King.