Temple of Zeus Olbios at Uzuncaburç (Olba-Diocaesarea)
Uzuncaburç Zeus Olbios Tapınağı · Olba Zeus Temple · Uzuncaburç Diocaesarea Temple
Hellenistic to Early Roman (Seleucid to Julio-Claudian)·Isaurian–Cilician priest state, Seleucid and Roman Cilicia·🇹🇷 Mersin, Silifke, Uzuncaburç plateau (ancient Olba and Diocaesarea), Turkey
About
About Temple of Zeus Olbios at Uzuncaburç (Olba-Diocaesarea)
Hilltop sanctuary capital of the priest-kingdom of Olba (later Diocaesarea) on the Taurus plateau 30 km north of Silifke, dominating the Göksu valley incense route. The Temple of Zeus Olbios (c.300 BCE Seleucid foundation, rebuilt c.20 CE Tiberian Corinthian peripteral 6×12, 21×32 m) sits on polygonal Hellenistic terracing with 5 Corinthian columns still standing 8 m high, richly carved entablature with garlands and Zeus lightning bundle. Adjacent are the Temple of Tyche, memorial column of Koros, and Hellenistic pointed vault — rare pre-Roman vault — plus massive fortification gates. Priest-state of Teukrids minted Zeus Olbios coins; Strabo (14.5.10) cites oracle-like prestige.
Why it mattersOnly priest-kingdom capital sanctuary in Rough Cilicia showing Seleucid frontier Hellenism and native Teukrid theocracy.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Oracle function evidence
- 02Underground vault purpose
Theories
- 01Göksu gorge incense toll temple
- 02Priest-king treasury fort
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.300 BCE Seleucid foundation; rebuilt c.20 CE under Tiberius/Archelaus
- Period
- Hellenistic to Early Roman (Seleucid to Julio-Claudian)
- Culture
- Isaurian–Cilician priest state, Seleucid and Roman Cilicia
- Builders
- Teukrid priest-kings of Olba and later Diocaesarea polis
- Purpose
- Priest-state oracle and treasury temple of Zeus Olbios (Blessed)
- Abandoned
- c.600 CE with Arab incursion
- Rediscovered
- 1880s Heberdey-Wilhelm; 1970s German survey Bean–Mitford; 1990s Olba Surface Survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.300 BCE
Seleucus I foundation on Hellenistic terrace
20 CE
Tiberian Corinthian rebuilding dedication
72 CE
Vespasian creates Diocaesarea city status
1890
Heberdey epigraphic corpus records Zeus Olbios coins
On the ground
Structures & features
36.5800° N · 33.9270° E · 1210 m · 2 mapped features
Zeus Olbios Peristasis
colonnadeNorth flank 5 standing Corinthian columns with lightning-bundle frieze
36.5805° N · 33.9275° ETyche Temple and Memorial Column
adjacent complexAdjacent 12-m honorific column and small Tyche temple with vault
36.5795° N · 33.9265° E