Ancient City of Comana

The Ancient City of Komana is located in Türkiye’s Black Sea Region, approximately 9 km northeast of the city center of Tokat. The city was built on a large hill known as the Gümenek locality, within the Yeşilırmak River valley. Thanks to its strategic position, it exerted control over the fertile plains surrounding it. It has been reported that the temple was connected to the other bank of the Yeşilırmak by a bridge now lost, and one of the bridge’s piers was identified in 2004 excavations within a water regulator.

The Ancient City of Komana (Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye)

Historical Development and Political Status

Komana was a major cult center dedicated to the Mother Goddess Ma and one of the two great temple states in Anatolia during the Hellenistic period. At the same time, Komana held the status of a polis (city-state) and functioned not only as a religious center but also as a commercial hub. During the rule of the Kingdom of Pontus, it emerged as a significant religious and economic center. After Mithradates VI fled following the collapse of the Kingdom of Pontus, Komana was made a principality by Pompey in the 1st century BCE and granted to Archelaus.

After Archelaus was removed from office by Caesar, his son continued the administration; later, rulers appointed by the Romans—Lycomedes of Bithynia and then Medeius, Cleon, and Dyteutus—assumed control. Following Dyteutus’s death, Komana was incorporated into the Roman province of Pontus Galaticus. During the reign of Emperor Maurice Tiberius (582–602 CE), it was fully integrated into the imperial territories. During this period, the political power of the priests diminished, but their religious functions continued.

The Ancient City of Komana(AA)

The Temple and Religious Organization

Komana, as a temple state in the Cappadocian style, housed a large sanctuary dedicated to the Mother Goddess Ma. Although direct archaeological remains of the temple’s architecture are limited, depictions of a tetrastyle temple appear on coins issued during the reigns of Caracalla, Septimius Severus, and Trajan. Additionally, it is believed that eight gray columns used in the Ali Paşa Mosque in the center of Tokat, as well as columns and column capitals in the Ulu Mosque and Garipler Mosque, originally belonged to this temple.

Land and Economic Structure

The economy of Komana was largely based on agriculture. During the Roman period, Pompey granted the city an additional 2 schoeni of land, and Caesar or Antony later added another 4 schoeni. These lands were expanded eastward, southward, and westward, increasing the city’s diameter to approximately 4 kilometers. Under Augustus, Komana reached the status of a civitas; when it was incorporated into the province of Pontus Galaticus around 34–35 CE, Magnopolitis was likely included within this administrative structure.

Cult and Festivals

The religious rituals and festivals centered on the cult of the Mother Goddess Ma played a vital role in the social and economic life of Komana. As a sacred city, it welcomed pilgrims from various regions throughout the year. Festivals and markets organized in the city attracted people from all corners of Anatolia.

Archaeological Research and Excavations

Archaeological work at the Ancient City of Komana began in 2004 under the “Komana Pontika Archaeological Research Project,” a collaboration between Middle East Technical University (METU), the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Tokat Governorship. Following surface surveys in the Gümenek Hamamtepe area, excavations revealed settlement traces, churches, and burial grounds from the Byzantine, Seljuk, Danişmend, and Ottoman periods.

In excavations conducted in 2020, an Egyptian scarab seal bearing the name of Thutmose III was discovered. Dated to 1479–1425 BCE, this seal is considered a significant archaeological find for understanding Komana’s international relations and trade networks.

The Ancient City of Komana(AA)

Komana in Later Periods

With the spread of Christianity, the religious structure based on the cult of the Mother Goddess Ma lost its significance and the temple ceased its functions. The city’s central role shifted to the smaller settlement of Daximon. The name Komana was used alongside Hierocaesareia until the time of Titus. The gradual decline of the city and the end of its religious functions marked the dissolution of the temple state.