Located within the borders of Cilicia in ancient times, Kanytella, with its current name Kanlıdivane, is an ancient settlement located 13 km west of Erdemli District of Mersin. The Kanlı Divane Antique settlement was built around a large depression in the center called the “Bloody Divane Pothole”. The Olba Kingdom, which existed in the 3rd century BC, reigned in the region. There are many magnificent structures in the city that have survived from the ancient period. At the same time, what makes the city and the Olba Kingdom really interesting is the story of Princess Aba.
The structure of the city covers a period from the early Byzantine period to the imperial period. Byzantine Emperor II. Theodosius transformed the city into a new city and an important center of Christianity. Olba is mentioned as a bishopric center in early Christian written documents and was an important center for Christianity at that time. Among the religious buildings in the city are the remains of many churches and basilicas. Located on the edge of a 60-meter deep pothole, the city has a port that opens to the sea.
Among the places to visit in Kanlıdivane Ancient City are the Aqueduct, Monumental Fountain Structure, Theatre, Necropolis Area, Temple Tomb, Monastery and Cathedral. The first studies on Olba were made by J. Keil and A. Wilhelm in the 1930s. Later on, systematic archaeological research and excavations were carried out by Prof. Dr. It was maintained by a team led by Emel Erten.
The sinkhole, located in the center of the ancient city, is a natural pit formed as a result of the collapse of the ceiling. This pit is 142 m in length, 95 m in width, 413 m in circumference and 60 m in depth, and has a surface area of 12 thousand square meters.
The Origin of the Name of the Ancient City of Kanlıdivane
There are two possibilities about the origin of the name Kanlıdivane. First possibility; The “bloody” part in the name may be due to Kanitellis, the ancient name of the city, or the reddish color of the reliefs covered with rain water in the sinkhole. The “Divane” part is likely to come from the meetings of the Turkmen communities living here dispersedly, which they sometimes call “divan”. The second possibility is; In the Roman period, the city was called “Kanlıdivane” because criminals were thrown into the sinkhole and fed to wild animals.
In Viktor Langlois’s work titled “Ancient Cilicia”, the origin of this word is entirely attributed to the stylistic transformation of the Greek word “Kanytellis” into Turkish. The compound word, which turned into Kany “Kanı” and Tellis “Crazy” forms, became “Candideli” or “Kandlideli”. The concept of “crazy” was later replaced with the word “Divane” in Ottoman Turkish. In addition, it is stated that a place called “Blood Hole” is mentioned in the same work and this is very compatible with the color of the pothole.
History of the Ancient City of Kanlıdivane
Kanlıdivane is known as a sacred settlement of the Olba Kingdom. The history of the city dates back to the 3rd century BC and was first settled in the Hellenistic Period. However, it lived its heyday in Roman and Late Antiquity and had its heyday in the 4th century AD. The stairs and caves inside the pothole show that the inside of the pothole was also used as a settlement. Byzantine Emperor II. Theodosius established a holy center of Christianity here.
Surface surveys in the city; With the discovery of production tools such as 15 workshops, presses, press beds, screw weights, press weight stones, crushing boats and crushing stones, it was revealed that Kanlıdivane was an important olive oil production center especially in late antiquity.
Structures in the Ancient City of Kanlıdivane
In the main settlement of the Kanlıdivane Ancient City, there are basilicas made of cut stone, streets, rock tombs and cisterns.
Hellenistic Tower
Hellenistic Tower in the city; It is the only Hellenistic Period building in Kanlıdivane and is located on the southwest edge of the pothole. The rectangular plan of the tower is divided into three rooms. It was built by the priest-king Teukros, son of Tarkyaris from Olba, at the end of the 3rd century BC and the beginning of the 2nd century, and was dedicated to Zeus Olbios. This information was revealed thanks to the inscriptions on the outer face of the southwestern corner of the tower.
Relief of Armaronzas and His Family
The family relief on the south wall of the sinkhole consists of three female and male figures standing side by side, and a female and a male figure sitting on a higher pedestal. The relief is dated to the 1st century AD, and the inscription below the relief states that Hermias’ father, Armaronzas, erected statues of his wife and children. It is also stated in the inscription that the person who damaged the reliefs should pay 1000 drachmas to Zeus.
Soldier Relief
The soldier relief on the north side of the sinkhole consists of a soldier figure holding a spear in his right hand and a sword in his left hand. To the northwest of the relief is an inscription that can be read as “Trogomon”. It is understood that this inscription was made by the soldier’s mother.
Other Rock Reliefs Inside the Cavern
In the Çanakçı rock tombs located on the rock mass approximately 1 km southwest of the sinkhole, there are reliefs of the tomb owners. Among these reliefs is a mourning female figure grasping her chimation with her right hand over her head. This relief is dated between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD.
Mausoleum of Aba
The most magnificent mausoleum in Kanytella was built in the style of Roman temples. According to the inscription on the door of the monument, it was built for Princess Aba and her husband Arios. The tomb was built on a low podium and has a vaulted entrance on its front. There are Corinthian column capitals at the four corners of the tomb. Based on both the inscription on it and other tombs, it is dated to the 2nd century AD.
In the inscription found in the tomb; “I want and command and testify that in the tomb of Arios (I) no one except Aba shall be buried. Likewise, no one will be buried after my death. Whoever does this, may he sin against the Gods of the Underworld, and may he and all his descendants perish; also pay 10,000 denarius to the treasury of our lord Caesar, and 8,000 denarius to the city of the Augustus, and 2,500 denarius to the local government unit of the settlement of Kanytelis. Again, I testify that these orders that I and my husband have given and these arrangements that we have made will be valid forever, and that no one will engrave (this inscription) and that whoever engraves it will be punished.” is writing.
Three Foot Grave Monument
One of the other important mausoleums of Kanytella is the tripod burial monument with dimensions of approximately 4.12 x 4.22 meters. The structure, which is 3.50 meters high, was built on a podium made of bedrock. The cella is reached by entering the building through a low and narrow door. The superstructure of the cella has a vaulted structure. The exterior design is completed with three columns and a triangular pediment at the top. Its architectural design is unique for its period and is like no other. This building is dated to the second quarter of the 3rd century AD.
Churches in Kanlidivane
There are four important churches around the Kanlıdivane pothole. In addition, among the other structures in the settlement, there is a fifth church whose apse can only be seen today, and a chapel identified in recent research. It is thought that these churches were built not out of necessity, but as an indication of the economic prosperity of the region. The churches in Kanlıdivane show similar features with the other churches in the region with their plan schemes and materials used. The fact that the spaces on both sides of the apse and behind it are delimited by a flat wall from the outside bears the characteristics of the churches of the Syria Early Christian-Byzantine Period. In addition, with its galleries and decorated column capitals, it is among the important structures of the Cilicia and Isauria Region from the end of the 5th century and the beginning of the 6th century.
The Story of Aba, Queen of the Olba Kingdom
Olba Kingdom is a small state established in Mersin province. This state mostly survived as a vassal of powerful states such as Seleucids and the Roman Empire. Today, traces of this state can be seen in many ancient artifacts in Mersin. In addition, various workplaces in Mersin have taken the names Olba or Queen Aba as trade names. The name Olba is also common among non-governmental organizations.
The interesting story of Queen Aba, the wife of the King of Olba, inspired Ferhang Huseynov’s ballet “Queen Aba”. Although Aba’s father, Zenofhanes, was descended from priests, he joined the pirates in opposition to Rome and became their leader. He was captured and killed by Pompeii, the commander of the Romans who were fighting against the pirates. The high priest of Olba, who delivered Zenofhanes to the Romans, took Aba to the temple and raised him.
Later, the Olba king Teukros fell in love with Aba and they got married. Aba, who entered the dynasty through marriage, has become one of the most recognizable figures in Olba history. During her reign from 43-39 BC, Queen Aba protected Olba as a vassal state of the Roman Empire. During this period, Mark Antony, a member of the Second Triumvirate of the Roman Empire, gave Cilicia to the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, except for the lands of Olba.
However, taxes paid to Rome were disrupted by the games of the high priest, and Antony and Cleopatra came to inspect the Olba Kingdom. The High Priest of Olba convinced the Roman Commander Pompeii to assassinate Antony and Cleopatra. However, Queen Aba prevented this insidious plan and saved Cleopatra’s life. Thereupon, Queen Aba made an agreement with Cleopatra and Antonius and became the autonomous ruler of the Olba lands under the Roman Empire.
When Commander Pompeii was released from custody, he attacked the betrayer Queen Aba. King Teukros threw himself in front of Aba to protect Aba and died. Queen Aba gave Olba her freedom, but lost her King. Later, Queen Aba was also killed. The Olba kingdom was ruled by Aba’s descendants until 20 AD. After this date, the administration of the region was undertaken by Rome instead of priest kings.
