Abstract
The paper is devoted to the cult of Artagn–Herakles–Ares, god-protector of royal power, war and victory in the Commagenian Kingdom at the epoch of Antiochus I (69–34 BС), and his father Mithradates I Kallinikos (100–70 BС). Based on epigraphical and archeological sources, the author reviews the essence of this cult, analyzing its every element: Artagn (Avestan Veretragna), Herakles and Ares. All three deities had similar functions and might have been combined in unifi ed syncretic image at the epoch of Antiochus I or Mithradates I. There was Greek iconography on the bas-reliefs, but the author considers, that Artagn was the central element of this cult, which Antiochus I evidently identifi ed. Thus the king acquired the features of deity of war and victory. Besides, Artagn–Herakles–Ares was associated with Khvarenah – the royal charisma. Therefore the author rates, that this deity played the important part in the royal cult of Сommagenian kings. The father of Antiochus I Mithridates I had the title of Kallinikos, which was evidently associated with Herakles-Veretragna. It is confi rmed with the inscription of Antiochus’ I epoch from the centre of royal and dynastic cults in Arsameia on the Nymphaios. We know very little about practice of worshipping of this deity. The author assumes that a tunnel was associated with it, which was cut near basement III. In this tunnel several ceremonies might have been conducted, which the king acquired the features of Artagn–Herakles–Ares.
Keywords
Hellenism, Commagena, Antiochus I, Artagn–Herakles–Ares, cult
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