Yazılı | |
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 Street in Yazılı village | |
  Yazılı Location in Turkey Show map of Turkey Yazılı Yazılı (Turkey Central Anatolia) Show map of Turkey Central Anatolia | |
| Coordinates:39°12′N30°43′E / 39.200°N 30.717°E /39.200; 30.717 | |
| Country | Turkey |
| Province | Eskişehir |
| District | Han |
| Population (2022) | 45 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (TRT) |
| Area code | 0222 |
Yazılı (also:Yazılıkaya, lit. 'inscribed rock'),Phrygian Yazılıkaya, orMidas Kenti (Midas city) is a neighbourhood of the municipality and district ofHan,Eskişehir Province,Turkey.[1] Its population is 45 (2022).[2] It is located about 27 km south ofSeyitgazi, 66 km south ofEskişehir, and 51 km north ofAfyonkarahisar. It is known for itsPhrygian archaeological remains and inscription mentioningMidas.
The ancient remains consist of a settlement, sometimesMidas City and a number of rock-cut reliefs, of which the most famous is theMidas Monument, formerly identified as the tomb of Midas.[3][4] There are two other rock-cut reliefs, known as the Unfinished monument and the Hyacinth monuments.[4]
The most prominent feature of the site is the Midas Monument, a high rock-cut facade in the cliff face of the citadel.[5] The relief takes the form of apedimented temple front withacroteria, and an abstract geometric design which appears to imitate theterra cotta facings of buildings. There is a niche at the bottom center, with walls bearing graffiti that readMATAR (Mother,i.e. the goddessCybele) and it probably held a statue of Cybele.[6]
The monument carries a dedication inOld Phrygian by Ates son of Arkias to Midas.[6][11] The inscription mentions Midas with his titles:MIDAI LAVAGTAEI VANAKTEI, probably meaning "leader of the people" and "ruler".[10] The inscription is:
ATES... MIDAI LAVAGTAEI VANAKTEI EDAES
Ates.... has dedicated (this monument) to Midas, lavagtas andvanax.[9]
The name Ates, a variant ofAttis, is a prominent name in Phrygia, associated with royalty. The fact that the dedication is made to Midas may indicate that he had received posthumous ruler cult.[12]
Various indications place the date of the monument's construction in the early to mid seventh century BC, as one of the first in a series of rock cut monuments to be built in western Phrygia. The inscription probably indicates that the monument was erected after the death of Midas in the early seventh century BC. Another inscription, on the right side of the monument includes the letteryodh, which was added to thePhrygian alphabet in the mid-sixth century BC. It shows that the monument was complete before this date, since it was added after the monument was finished. The abstract designs on the facade are stylistically comparable to architectural terracottas of central Anatolia dating from before ca. 600 BC.[6][11][13]
The site was excavated by the French Archaeological Institute immediately before and after the Second World War, and also in the 1990s by theEskişehir Museum.[14][15]
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