Karakus Tumulus Located in the Kahta District of Adıyaman province in Eastern Turkey, the Karakuş Tumulus is a funerary monument built by Mithridates II of Commagene in 31 BC to serve as the final resting place for his mother Isias, sister Antiochis, and niece Aka I. The monument, smaller in scale than Mount Nemrut but similar in design, is a man-made mound that highlights the importance of women within the Commagene Royal Family during this period. The Karakuş Tumulus features three groups of limestone Doric columns surrounding it, with the northern group being closest to the mound and the other two groups situated on the west and east sides. Each column stands at 9 meters tall and is adorned with a stela, relief, and a statue of a bull, lion, or eagle at the top. The columns rest on a square plinth and are supported by a foundation made up of six limestone blocks and a Doric capital. The prominence of Isias, Antiochis, and Aka I within the Commagene Royal Family is emphasized by the frequency with which they are mentioned on the stele. Only one column remains on the south side of the Karakuş Tumulus, consisting of seven drums and topped with a 2.54-meter-high statue of an eagle, which gave the monument its name (karakuş means "black bird" in Turkish). Of the three columns on the northeast side, only two are still standing, with one bearing traces of a relief and the other missing the head of its bull statue. The central column is slightly taller than the other two and features a Greek inscription commissioned by King Mithridates II, which reads: "This hierothesion was erected by King Mithridates for his mother Isias, sister Antiochis, and her daughter Aka, women recognized by him as deserving of praise. With Isias lies Antiochis, the king's sister and their mother's daughter, known for her beauty and her brief but honorable life. Also buried here is Aka, daughter of Antiochis and granddaughter of the king. This inscription honors these three prominent figures and serves as a reminder for visitors to honor their lives and legacies." The last group of sculptures on the northwest side of the Karakuş Tumulus has only one remaining column, featuring a dexiosis relief depicting King Mithradates II and his sister Laodice bidding each other farewell with a handshake. Two other sculptures stand next to them, representing their respective cultures: Laodice wears a veil covering her head, while Mithradates is depicted gripping his tiara, symbolizing his power over Asia. A lion head sculpture, which would have been part of this group, lies on the ground nearby. The grave chamber that once lay inside the tumulus, buried under stone blocks, was unfortunately plundered at some point in history. Its stones were subsequently heavily reused in the construction of the Cendere Bridge.