Belevi Mausoleum, Hellenistic mausoleum near Selçuk, Turkey
The Belevi Mausoleum is a Hellenistic burial monument near Selçuk with a square chamber roughly 29 meters in length and 28 columns surrounding its upper section. The structure displays a mix of monumental scale and fine architectural details typical of its era.
The mausoleum was first built as a burial place for Lysimachus, a general of Alexander the Great, but later became the resting place of Antiochus II Theos. This change of use shows how power shifted and ruling dynasties changed in the region after Alexander's death.
The decorative works show Greek and Persian influences through lion-griffins, centaurs, and architectural details now displayed in regional museums. This blend of both cultures reflects the connection between East and West that was typical of the era in this region.
The site is located roughly 14 kilometers northeast of Ephesus near the İzmir-Aydın highway and has informational signs in several languages. The best time to visit is in the morning when it is cooler and the carved details are easier to see.
Inside is an unfinished sarcophagus with a reclining figure, accompanied by servant carvings that reflect Persian building customs. This rare mix of completed architecture with an unfinished burial chamber provides insight into burial practices of the era.
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