TÜRKÇE
KARATEPE 2, 3 ve 4 Yazıtları
The pieces that partially form the inscribed blocks of KARATEPE 2 and 3 were found scattered at the site, while the base blocks of KARATEPE 4 were found in situ at the southern wall of the South Gate West Court without any damage to the inscription.
Basalt fragments of KARATEPE 2 with a distinct light color and hard texture belong to a 0.43 m wide and 0.18 m thick stele. Only 3 lines of the inscription are partially visible, but in its original height, the stele probably had a 5-line inscription. What can be read on it states in the third person that "this fortress ... Azatiwadas built." The KARATEPE 3 is inscribed on a 0.33 m high and 0.78 m long, heavily fragmented base block. It mentions the titles, name, and genealogy of a "River Lord" who is distinct from Azatiwada. KARATEPE 4 is inscribed on two contiguous base blocks and bears two clauses. The second clause is a scribal signature. It states that "these writings" were incised by Masani and Masanazami.
KARATEPE 2–4 are not a part of the lengthy bilingual inscription carved on the orthostats and sculptures of Karatepe. Instead, they might be parts of a single separate composition. If so, KARATEPE 4 is clearly the ending of the right-to-left running inscription. The blank space that exists on the first block of KARATEPE 4 might be an indication that this space was covered by an adjoining block from which the inscription was continuing. It has been suggested that KARATEPE 3 was a part of this right-angled extension on the wall. The last image below shows the suggested locations of such a construction.
KARATEPE 2, KARATEPE 3
KARATEPE 4
