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Shortly after these events, Antiochos died. Antiochos was interred in the sanctuary on the Nemrud, where his body was laid to rest in the tomb probably next to the tomb of his father.
The son of Antiochos, Mithradates II, succeeded him to the throne. Kommagene was no longer a match for the Roman Empire. Under the reign of Mithradates II, Kommagene became a satellite state and finally a part of the province of Syria.
When the Parthian crown prince was slain in battle against the Romans, the sorrow of the king was so great that he abdicated. It was no comfort to him that Antiochos, the grandfather of the crown prince, was risking his kingdom by providing protection for the survivors of the defeated Parthian army.
The Parthian king was succeeded by one of his other sons. This son was merciless. He murdered everyone who could possibly threaten his throne. Laodike and her children were also assassinated.
Mithradates II transferred the body of his sister to Kommagene and buried her at the burial mound of Karakus (Black Bird). He placed the beautiful relief slab in memory of her. It shows his farewell to Laodike. From the inscriptions, we learn that Mithradates was very fond of her : "She was the most beautiful of all women..."
Also his mother Isias and his second sister Antiochis are buried here, together with Aka, the daughter of Antiochis. Mithradates built Karakus on the banks of the river Nymphaios.
From the galleries of his summer residence, high above the dizzy depths of the ravine, he looked out over the green valley of the Nymphaios, at the striking mound of Karakus. In this way his beloved ones would always be close to him, even after their death.
His jealous brother, Antiochos II, tried to overthrow Mithradates II from his throne. For this, Antiochos II was adjucated by the Romans. The senate of Rome sentenced him to death and in 29 B.C. he was executed in Rome.
Kommagene became independent for the last time under King Antiochos IV. That was only for a short time. In 74 A.D. Kommagene lost its independence. The Kommagene army was defeated by the Roman legions.
The small army of Kommagene was disbanded. Its dreaded archers and heavily armoured cavalry were absorbed into the Roman army as the 'cohortes Comagenorum'.
To avoid any rebellion in the future, the Roman soldiers destroyed all the statues and buildings which recalled the earlier greatness of Kommagene. They demolished the sanctuary on holy Mount Nemrud. Kommagene died and the Nemrud began its long sleep, disturbed only by the howling of the mountain wind and the visit of a lost shepherd.
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