The Death of Anzarbus Princess

A.D. circa 400, Anzarbus Castle (Today, Dilekkaya Village, Kozan, Provincial District of Adana) Hatun Dilci (65), who just three years ago retired after 34 years as a caretaker of the historic Anzarbus Castle in Kozan, Adana province, uncovered a mosaic, depicting snakes, in 1960 while her husband and she were digging away at the ground to build a new home in their garden. There is a story behind this mosaic, dating back to A.D. 400, being told over the centuries up to now:
Once upon a time, there was a great city, called Anzarbus, where brave people and beautiful girls used to live. The town was so fortified by the castle that it could easily defend itself against the attacks of enemies. The skillful rock carvers of those times, who were living in the town, would ornate the houses and the squares with elaborate carvings that fascinated people, and would create admirable artefacts out of rocks.

During the day time, the people of the town would leave their homes, and go to the farms to work. And in the evening they would enjoy their earnings. The outer city used to be surrounded with high walls and deep trenches. There was no entrance to inside other than a draw bridge.

People would live in peace and tranquility in this beautiful city. In the evenings, each home was full of

cheering and laughter; laments would turn into cheerful songs. Everybody was happy, and the days would pass as such.

The king of Anzarbus had a pretty daughter, having a unique beauty in the world, who would say to the shimmering moon: Dont shine; its me who should shine. This girl was not only so beautiful but she was also very clever. However, one day the joy of the city vanished because of this princess; the smiling face of the king turned to red; his eyebrows remained raising. The messenger of Sis Kingdom comes by to Anzarbus King, and says to him: On behalf of the Sis King, I present my greetings to your highness Anzarbus King. The King: Tell me, what do you wish from us? says to the messenger. My King wants your daughter to his son replies the messenger. The King ponders for a while, and adds: What if I do not accept his request? The messenger: My excellency has thought about this, too. If you are not willing to let your daughter marry his son, I am assigned to remind you that he would declare war on you.

The King answers: You mean he is going to fight with us.

Then he tells the messenger that he would think about this situation. The messenger of Sis King leaves speaking in a threating manner, but whenever the trouble comes, it brings so much of it by increasing worries. Upon leaving of the former messenger, this time, the messenger of Mopsuestia Kingdom knocks on their door. He, too, comes to tell the King that the son of Mopsuestia King wants his daughter to marry his son. He threatens the King of Anzarbus with a possible war as well.

The King of Anzarbus was a benign and gracious man. He gets confused what to do and starts thinking over the dilemma. Soon he realizes that the situation is worsening and getting more complicated. He foresees no way out; and whomever he would let his daughter marry will not help him avoid the war. Perhaps he will lose his kingdom. Supposing he would not give her daughter to neither of them, then he would have to fight against both kings. The Princess feels very upset seeing her father in trouble. She says to her musing father: Is it right not to share your trouble with me? Am I not your daughter, my father, King? My daughter, he says, youre right, my pigeon toed daughter. I dont know what to do. The King of Sis sent an envoy, and wants you for his son. And so did the King of Mopsuestia. If I do not grant the permission, they will take up the hatchet. Whomever I say OK, thats the thing that would eventually happen, though. What should be done; I couldnt find a way out. His daughter smiles and So simple; what could be easier than that? says. Even the devil cannot untie this knot. says the King. My King father, there is nothing simpler than this. Youll tell them: I will let my daughter marry, but I have only one condition. Anzarbus has been short of water. Ill choose the one who can bring plenty of water the soonest. Tell this, and leave the rest to me. says the princess.

Ive never thought about this. Then we can handle this without war. says the King. Sure, daddy. Our people are living in peace, undisturbed. I dont want them to suffer and die just because of me. says the Princess. So, the days pass. And the envoys of both kings come to the castle again to learn the Kings decision. The King tells them the solution his daughter advised: Ill give my daughter to the first man who can bring more water to Anzarbus. Announce so my decision to your kings. The messengers tell about the decision right away to their kings. Upon this news, the King of Sis starts constructing the aqueducts from upward Kozan, and the King of Misis, from downwards. The King of Sis tries to build the water channels from elaborately carved ashlars so that it could remain solid for long. Thats why, it advances rather slowly. Yet, the King of Mopsuestia builds the watercourse from cobs, so he makes a swift progress in construction. As the days pass, the waterways would proceed. Eventually, the aqueducts of the Mopsuestians can be visible from the castle. However, there comes no news of the Sis. A sorrow overshadows the princess, who sees the waterway of the Mopsuestians approaching to the town. However, she feels a secret love towards the son of Mopsuestia King, whose bravery shes heard of. She sends some men to him for help, and Do not care too much for the firmness of the construction. Hurry, and finish the waterway as soon as possible. says the Princess.

In the end, the waterway of the Mopsuestia finishes, and it stands at the gate Arch Gate of Anzarbus, but the princess cannot endure this. Rather than being forced to marry someone she does not love, she thinks about committing suicide. But, she is not let. Hearing this, the King of Misis storms, and threatens them saying: Ill unleash my snakes and Shah Meran (snake with horns) to bite her to death. He releases the snakes into the water channel from The Snake Castle, situated nearby Kozan. AsdepictedinthemosaictombofthePrincess,sheislookingatthesonofSisKingonherleft, meaningshehasahiddenloveforhim.WhilesheisstrugglingwithShahMeran(thesnake withlegsandhorns),ayellowsnakeissneakingbehindher,andbithertodeathonherright sidewherethesonofMopsuestiaKingisstanding. In1972,agroupofarcheologists,havingexcavatedthearea,foundthatthemosaic

belongstotheKingsDaughter,byexaminingacuttingitemtheyhadfoundbeneath herhead,whichisabout1600yearsold.