Page 28 - NIRVANA OF NATURE ANTALYA

KÖPRÜÇAY

River Gods

The Taurus Mountains give birth to many streams. nish them with floods when enraged led to the worship
These streams trickle down the slopes, accumulate in of many rivers as deities and their designation as gods
canyons, and form rivers. Interacting with the karstic in antiquity.
structure of the Taurus Mountains, these rivers incorpo-
rate the stunning hues of blue, flowing swiftly as if Many important ancient cities that have survived
eager to reach the sea. Upon reaching the plains, they to this day were settlements established around large
deposit alluvium and form small meanders. rivers known by the names of gods. For instance, the
Aksu River near Perge Ancient City was known as the
Since ancient times, agriculture has been practiced in God Kestros, while the Köprüçay River flowing near
these fertile plains formed by the alluvial deposits of Aspendos Ancient City was called the God Eurymedon.
rivers that originate from the Taurus Mountains. Rivers The Manavgat River, which forms the ecological com-
provide a remarkable biological diversity in these lan- ponent of Side Ancient City and flows near the city, was
ds, offering immense wealth for both agriculture and known as the God Melas. These ancient cities flouris-
hunting-gathering. The rivers' life-giving presence over hed due to their wealth on fertile lands and inspired the
centuries, occasionally causing disasters through flo- creation of works of art. The vast majority of the works
ods, has impacted humans. The perception that rivers exhibited in Antalya Museum today come from these
reward humans with their bounty in good times but pu- great ancient cities.

DNA DOĞANIN NİRVANASI ANTALYA 29