DOI Heft:
Nr. 1-2
DOI Artikel:Ramsay, William Mitchell; Hogarth, David George: Pre-hellenic monuments of Cappadocia, [1]
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12259#0082
PRE1 HELLENIC MONUMENTS OF CAPPADOCIA
75
Keui). Its modem name is Ekùz Hissar or Ekùzli Hissar \ Tyana was situated about the
lowest part of the plain that is bounded on the north by the lofty Hassan Dagh (pro-
bably called Argeos in ancient time, bearing the sarae name that was and still is applied
to the great mountain soutli of Caesareia-Mazaka), on the east by lower hills wliich
contain the silver mines called Bereketli Maden and extend back to the mightv ridge
called Ala Dagh, and on the south by similar hills which are interposed between the
main ridge of Taurus (Bulgar Dagh) and the level plain. On the west the rich valley of
Tyana is merged in the great Lycaonian plain.
The district of Tyana is exceedingly well-watered. Nnmerous fine springs rise in
the south-western spurs of Hassan Dagh. and flow through Bor, a considérable town
3 or 4 miles north of Tyana. Nigde in the corner of the plain about 12 miles north east
of Tyana is also well supplied with water. Very fine springs rise on the eastern skiiis
of the straggling village that now occupies the site of Tyana, and irrigate its extensive
gardens. Hot springs also rise beside the road from Bor to Nigde, and in the fourth
century after Christ were called the springs of Xanxaris. Near them was a monastery
named Pasa or Paspasa. Sixteen Roman miles to the north east of Tyana is the village
of Andabalis !, still called Andaval; and in the district about Tyana and Andabalis tliere
was a large estate, which can be traced as the property of the Roman Emperors in the
fourth and in the tenth century3. The only facts recorded about it are that it was rich
and fertile, and that very fine horses were bred on it. The fertility of much of the land in
the neighbourliood is obvious at the présent day; and certain minerai products also
contribute to the comparative wealth and prosperity of the district. Saltpetre is collected
in great quantities, and beside the fine springs on the north-east of Tyana a peculiar kind
of dense heavy earth is dug up, which is said to be a cure for barrenness in women.
About two miles south of Tyana is the spring described by the ancient writers'
as sacred to Zeus Asbamaios, and as continually boiling up yet never overllowing.
Hamilton, Researches in Asia Minor, II. 302, describes it in terms which entirely
corroborate thèse accounts. It is "a lake about 40 feet in diameter, full of brackish
water, bubbling and boiling up ail over, particularly in the centre, " yet it neither over-
flows, nor does any stream escape from it.
The district of Tyana therefore unités both natural advantages to support a great
city and natural phenomena such as might seem to be a manifestation of divine power
and might constitute a centre of religious awe. It is always in situations remarkable
by nature that we find the great seats of the primitive religion of Asia Minor. The
native Hieron, and the town that grew up round the hieron, Hiero-polis !, were always
(1) The name means " Cattle Kortress " : it lias been much maltreated by travellers, boing givon as Kiz
Hissar. " Girl Fortress ", and Kilisse Hissar, " Church Forlress ".
(2) Andabalis or Andabilis. Is the name connected with that of Ihe small Indian bird called in Arabie
poets by the non-Arabie name Andabil ? See Masoudi, les Prairies d'or, transi, by BarBIBR du Mi'iNAim, III,
P- 16. Anda in Sanskrit means an egg; but Andabil does not appear to be known in any of the Sanskritie
languages.
(3) See Ramsay, Historical Gcoyraphy of Asia Minor, pp. 347. 449, 39.
(4) Strabo, p. 537; Philostr., Vit. Apoïl., I, 6; Aristoti.b, Mirab. Auseult., 163; Ammianus, XXIII, 6.
(5) The proper Greek form is Hiera-polis. but where Greek civilisation has been assimilatcd fully (E. g.
75
Keui). Its modem name is Ekùz Hissar or Ekùzli Hissar \ Tyana was situated about the
lowest part of the plain that is bounded on the north by the lofty Hassan Dagh (pro-
bably called Argeos in ancient time, bearing the sarae name that was and still is applied
to the great mountain soutli of Caesareia-Mazaka), on the east by lower hills wliich
contain the silver mines called Bereketli Maden and extend back to the mightv ridge
called Ala Dagh, and on the south by similar hills which are interposed between the
main ridge of Taurus (Bulgar Dagh) and the level plain. On the west the rich valley of
Tyana is merged in the great Lycaonian plain.
The district of Tyana is exceedingly well-watered. Nnmerous fine springs rise in
the south-western spurs of Hassan Dagh. and flow through Bor, a considérable town
3 or 4 miles north of Tyana. Nigde in the corner of the plain about 12 miles north east
of Tyana is also well supplied with water. Very fine springs rise on the eastern skiiis
of the straggling village that now occupies the site of Tyana, and irrigate its extensive
gardens. Hot springs also rise beside the road from Bor to Nigde, and in the fourth
century after Christ were called the springs of Xanxaris. Near them was a monastery
named Pasa or Paspasa. Sixteen Roman miles to the north east of Tyana is the village
of Andabalis !, still called Andaval; and in the district about Tyana and Andabalis tliere
was a large estate, which can be traced as the property of the Roman Emperors in the
fourth and in the tenth century3. The only facts recorded about it are that it was rich
and fertile, and that very fine horses were bred on it. The fertility of much of the land in
the neighbourliood is obvious at the présent day; and certain minerai products also
contribute to the comparative wealth and prosperity of the district. Saltpetre is collected
in great quantities, and beside the fine springs on the north-east of Tyana a peculiar kind
of dense heavy earth is dug up, which is said to be a cure for barrenness in women.
About two miles south of Tyana is the spring described by the ancient writers'
as sacred to Zeus Asbamaios, and as continually boiling up yet never overllowing.
Hamilton, Researches in Asia Minor, II. 302, describes it in terms which entirely
corroborate thèse accounts. It is "a lake about 40 feet in diameter, full of brackish
water, bubbling and boiling up ail over, particularly in the centre, " yet it neither over-
flows, nor does any stream escape from it.
The district of Tyana therefore unités both natural advantages to support a great
city and natural phenomena such as might seem to be a manifestation of divine power
and might constitute a centre of religious awe. It is always in situations remarkable
by nature that we find the great seats of the primitive religion of Asia Minor. The
native Hieron, and the town that grew up round the hieron, Hiero-polis !, were always
(1) The name means " Cattle Kortress " : it lias been much maltreated by travellers, boing givon as Kiz
Hissar. " Girl Fortress ", and Kilisse Hissar, " Church Forlress ".
(2) Andabalis or Andabilis. Is the name connected with that of Ihe small Indian bird called in Arabie
poets by the non-Arabie name Andabil ? See Masoudi, les Prairies d'or, transi, by BarBIBR du Mi'iNAim, III,
P- 16. Anda in Sanskrit means an egg; but Andabil does not appear to be known in any of the Sanskritie
languages.
(3) See Ramsay, Historical Gcoyraphy of Asia Minor, pp. 347. 449, 39.
(4) Strabo, p. 537; Philostr., Vit. Apoïl., I, 6; Aristoti.b, Mirab. Auseult., 163; Ammianus, XXIII, 6.
(5) The proper Greek form is Hiera-polis. but where Greek civilisation has been assimilatcd fully (E. g.