Two sanctuaries from Aizanoi in Phrygia: Meter Steuene and Aba Sultan

Abstract

In this paper, analyzed that the relation between Meter Steunene sanctuary of Aizanoi and Aba Sultan which is located on the opposite hill of the Cybele sanctuary in Aizanoi/Cavdarhisar. Meter Steunene sanctuary is located 3 km far from southwest of Aizanoi ancient city. Two bothroi which were built for Cybele are seen still today. Ancient writer Pausanias is mentioned that the procession for Cybele. People who are received to Cybele cult in this procession, must get into bohtroi and, cut a bull by Cybele priests and washed the blood of the bull and then accepted to the Cybele cult. We observed that another ritual is occurred which are located just the opposite of the Cybele cult place that the named Aba Sultan by the local people in Cavdarhisar. Local Cavdarhisar people are climbed to the hill and pray to the Aba Sultan for the rain and indeed this tradition is related to Turk-Islam Periods. People are employed with agriculture for thousand years since Roman period and also Modern times in Aizanoi-Cavdarhisar and naturally they are begun to pray for the rain on the Aba Sultan Hill and offered the animal sacrifices, when the drought is became in Cavdarhisar. Two women who have got different names but similar rituals on the two hills where are located facing each other in Aizanoi/Cavdarhisar. The names could be change but the tradition is continued in Aizanoi/Cavdarhisar in the Phrygia region.