A Holy Mountain in the Inland Western Anatolia: Murat Mountain (Dindymos)

Abstract

Murat Mountain is an important mountain located in the inland western Anatolia. Antiquity writers refer to the mountain of Murat as the sacred mountain of Dindymos, which is located between Kutahya and Usak. Murat Mountain is a mountain identified with the Phrygian goddess Kybele (Magna Mater, Holy Mother). The source of the Gediz River (Hermos), one of the important rivers of Western Anatolia, originates from Murat Mountain. It is an important mountain in the prehistoric period as well as in the antiquity. Due to its location in western Anatolia, it affects transportation in the region of Afyonkarahisar, Kutahya and Usak. In Antiquity, the "Royal Road", starting from Susa and reaching Sardis, passes through the south of Murat Mountain. The connections between the ancient cities of Aizanoi (Cavdarhisar), Kadoi (Gediz), Usak (Temenouthyrai), Akmonia (Ahatkoy-Banaz) are provided by passing a round Murat Mountain. It is a sacred mountain because it has affected the cities and people in the region. Today, along with its rich forest existence, the water resources that feed Gediz (Hermos), Buyuk Menderes (Maiandros) and Sakarya (Sangarios) rivers emerge from Murat Mountain.