Rock Reliefs of Zeus and his Thunderbolt in the High Plateau Settlements of Kabalis / Kabalia

Authors : Feyzullah Eray Dökü, Şenkal Kileci

Pages : 73-96

Doi:10.36891/anatolia.1347969

View : 99 | Download : 153

Publication Date : 2023-12-22

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The worship of Zeus, the head of the gods of Olympus, is more widespread in rural areas than in urban centers in the Kabalis / Kabalia region. Zeus, who is generally seen in cities for the prosperity and well-being of the city or for amity in treaties, has a different presence in rural areas than the established cult in the cities. Zeus, who is mostly associated with the sky and celestial phenomena, also manifests himself in rural life in agriculture and animal husbandry. In this context, the bust of Zeus and the reliefs, altars and architectural blocks bearing winged or wingless thunderbolt, the attribute of Zeus and recorded in ancient literature, were analyzed on the basis of rural life and especially seasonal migration. In addition to these finds, two altars, one with an inscription, registered in the inventory of the Burdur Archaeological Museum, were also included in the research, and, in relation to rural life and transhumance activities the characteristics related to this deity were investigated. This depiction, which is sometimes seen as a winged thunderbolt and sometimes as a thunderbolt carried by an eagle on the coins of the cities of the Kabalis / Kabalia Region during the Hellenistic Period, appears on rock reliefs, architectural blocks, and altars in the high plateaus, permanent or periodic rural settlements during the Roman Imperial Period. Through the identification of the finds in the region, including those with similar reliefs, a preliminary impression of the epithets with which this deity may have been worshipped has been attempted.
Keywords : Zeus, Şimşek, Kanatlı Şimşek Kabartması, Kabalis Kabalia, Kaya Kabartmaları, Sunaklar