On the edge of the eastern part of the Empire, Roman emperors were still expanding or shoring up their territory, and one example is this splendid bridge over a major river, which until very recently was still taking regular car traffic. This bridge is on the edge of the Commagene kingdom (more about that in subsequent posts). Here’s the bridge….
Severus ruled from 193-211 A.D. Thus this is one of the last construction projects in the east, before the Empire began to fall under attack, and contract. One of the things that stands out about this bridge, besides the fact it’s still standing in 2024 is the honorific columns attached to the bridge, which serve no constructive purpose other than as announcements. For example, here are a couple of shots of these columns up close, and notice all the names on them….
The next to the last of these is especially interesting as it mentions the Commagene kingdom of Antiochus Commagene. All of this stone was without question quarried right on this very spot, as you can get a glimpse on in the next shot…..
Our intrepid bus driver Mehmet could not get this bus across the bridge even if he wanted to, so he had to sit in air conditioned splendor, enjoying some mid-day pistachio treats, while we ventured out into the 100F heat to take a few pictures.
English (US) · 