English History Of Egil

    EĞİL ASSYRIAN CASTLE

    Estimated to be built in Assyrian time, the castle, has an interesting structure. It was set a unique rock. Three sides of it are surrounded by deep valleys. It was made to have strategically important structure by carving the other side. The castle was surrounded by walls which still partially survive today. It is clear that the castle is very hard to conquer if the weapons of that time are taken into account. It is larger than area of three football pitches. Inside of the castle is partially empty and had been used as depot and shelter. In the second volume of “History of the Church” by Johanna from Eğil; it said that “During the wars between Byzantium and Hungarians, public and soldiers sheltered into Eğil castle.
    There are nearly one hundred pits on the castle and they are thought to have been used for different purpose. There are four tunnels constructed by carving the rocks on the castle and they are still seen today. They are thought to have been built to reach safe places in case of emergency. The figure of an Assyrian King is there on the front-west part of Eğil castle. The figure can be seen in the sunning afternoons in spring and summer. Also there is an inscription in front of the figure but it is unable to be read now. Since the inscription and the figure were found together they are strongly thought to be Assyrians. The figure is thought to be the same with the one of 3rd Salmanassar at the source of the Dicle. Beysanoğlu forwards the information about the figure. It has all the root figures of Assyrians Kings. A big beard, a two faced axe… The figure looks southwards.
     
     

    PROPHET GRAVES

    Prophet Elyesa:     Prophet Elyesa whose tomb is believed to be in Eğil is a prophet sent to Jews. He tried to extend the rights of excellent Moses. He lived with prophet İlyas for a while. Prophet İlyas escaping from Balbeq emperor’s oppression was teaching the Old Testament secretly. Although prophet Elyesa gave a lot of advice to Jews, very few of them cared him. Escaping from Jew’s oppression, Prophet Elyesa came Asurian land. Then the Assyrians   fought Jews. Prophet Elyesa lived about 1200 B.C. His tomb is accepted to be in Eğil by the scientist living in Eğil.

    First, his tomb was in Tekke district of Eğil. With the water rise in the Dicle dam his tomb was taken to the Nebi Harun Hill. His cousin and assistant Hürmüz’s tomb was left its original place.
     
     

    Prophet Zülkifl:

    Prophet Zülkifl whose tomb is accetpet to be in Eğil is a
    prophet sent to Jews. He is mentioned 2 times in Qoran:Enbiya
    sure 85. Verse: “Remember Ismail, Idris and Zülkifil.
    They are all patient.” Sad sure 48. Verse: “Remind Ismail, Elyesa
    and Zülkifil. They were all good people.” Prophet Zülkifil was
    together with his cousin prophet Elyesa as much as possible.
    He faced a lot of negative behavior of people patiently. Prophet

    Elyesa left Prophet Zülkifil as caliph towards his death. Despite
    his real name is Bişr, he is called Zülkifil (guarantor). He lived
    about 1200 B.C. His tomb is accepted to be in Eðil by the
    scientists living in Eðil. On the stonhence next to his old grave
    “This is Prophet Zülkifl’s tomb” is written. With the water rise in
    the Dicle Dam in 1995 his grave was moved to the Nebi Harun Hill.

    Prophet Harun (Harun-i Asefi):

    On the instruction of his tomb, these words take place: “This tomb belongs to Harun-i Asefi, son of Berhiya. He is the secretary of Prophet Suleiman.” There is another grave next to his. It belongs to his cousin Ruyem. His tomb is on a hill in the south-east of Eğil and surrounded by oak trees.
     
     

    EĞİL

    Eğil is a small and nice town of Diyarbakir which is also an Assyrian city which welcomed many religions civilizations; saints and prophets. It is in the north-west of Diyarbakir and 50 km away. Eğil welcomes you with various historical works, rich nature and matchless lake view for a nice day to have. How to come: There are minibuses departure two times an hour from town terminal in Diyarbakır.

     
     
     

    The Rock Graves of Assyrian Kings (Kral mezarları)

        Being one of the best historical pieces, Assyrian kings’ graves still stand despite being plundered by Sassanid emperor 2.Shapur and despite centuries. The graves and caves around them take place in the north-east of the castle on the coast of the dam. They were built by carving the rocks at the shape of Egyptian scarves. In the east base of the graves there is a tunnel. It’s closed since being filled. In the north-inner part of the graves there is a line shaped figure.

     
     
     

    Cave Church (Mağara kilise)

        It’s in the west part of the castle. There are many crucifixes on the walls which symbolize different ages. One of the students of Excellent Jesus, 1. Adey, came here in the 1. Century. By building one of the biggest monasteries of the Middle East he made the Eğil a center of bishop