Location
Cappadocia on Asia Minor map. Marked other boundaries of the Hellenistic states and Roman provinces
At different times, the borders of Cappadocia have changed. At present, this name is usually understood as its main core. The region is located in the center of the Asia Minor Peninsula, without access to the sea. It is for the most part a flat, de-vegetated plateau with a continental climate, sparse rivers, which is located at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level. From the south, it is bounded by the Erdzhiyas mountains (3864 m, Argei Mountain) and Khasandag (3253 m) (Taurus ridge) and extends to the north by rows of valleys to the Kyzylirmak river and the Tuz salt lake.
The main rivers of Cappadocia were Galis (now Kyzylirmak) and Iris (now Yeshilyrmak) with a high-water tributary Lik (now Kelkit). The former historical regions of Asia Minor that surrounded Cappadocia are as follows: from the north Pontus, from the north-east - Armenia, in the east Mesopotamia, in the south Syria and Cilicia.
These territories in ancient times were known as Cappadocia the Great or Mediterranean... Periodically, the lands overlooking the Black Sea were included in Cappadocia, they were called Small Cappadocia, Pontic or Upper(although in history they are better known under the independent name Pontus, which was from time to time an independent state).
Cities
Most of the cities of Cappadocia are either known from ancient times and are mentioned in many sources of antiquity, or were founded by Islamic conquerors ca. XIII century
Historical regions of Asia Minor during classical antiquity
Language and population
Cappadocia, especially ancient and medieval, has a rather rich linguistic history due to the fact that the region lay at the crossroads of several important migration flows of both Indo-European and non-Indo-European peoples.
Medieval Kapaddokia is characterized by the gradual assimilation of Indo-European speakers (Armenians, Greeks) by non-Indo-European (Turks).
In 1912, in Cappadocia (modern silos of Kayseri, Nigde, Aksaray and Nevsehir) lived: Turks - 202,927 people, Greeks - 78,719 people, Armenians - 39,489 people.
With the transformation of the empire in 1919, the region became part of the Turkish Republic (officially since 1923). As a result of the administrative reform, the region was divided between the administrative provinces of Nevsehir, Kayseri, Aksaray and Nigde. In 1923, the Greek-Turkish population exchange took place, when the Greek-speaking population, who had lived there for centuries, left these lands, and only the Turks remained. In addition, the region was affected by the extermination of Armenians.
In the 3rd century in Cappadocia, the Christian Great Martyr George the Victorious was born, the most revered saint of this name.
Armenians in Cappadocia
A number of researchers consider the indigenous inhabitants of Cappadocia to be a people related to the Armenians and Phrygians. Byzantium's policy towards Armenians played an important role in the history of Cappadocia. Bordering in the northeast with Lesser Armenia, and in the east with Great Armenia, Cappadocia has long experienced the demographic influence of this nation, but during this period it acquired a special scope. The Byzantine Empire, in the context of the struggle against the Baghdad Caliphate, was engaged in the forcible resettlement of Armenians from Armenia to Asia Minor. There was also an ordinary, rather intensive emigration from the occupied by the Arabs of Armenia caused by the same war. The resettlement to the Byzantine territories was carried out mainly in Cappadocia (VII-IX centuries), as well as in Mesopotamia, Cilicia and Syria. “So, for example, the Byzantine commander Leo in 688 destroyed 25 districts of Armenia and evicted 8000 families from there to Asia Minor. In 747, in 751, in 752, the Armenians were resettled to Asia Minor from Melitena and Karin (Erzurum). " The peak caused by the aggression of Byzantium and the invasion of the Seljuks fell on the 11th century. For example, in -1021, Emperor Basil II resettled 15 thousand Armenian families from the Van region to Sebastia (Asia Minor). The Byzantine emperors, having destroyed the Vaspurakan, Ani and other Armenian kingdoms, provided the Bagratids, Artsrunids and other royal and princely families with new possessions on the territory of the empire. These rulers concentrated power in their hands as Byzantium itself weakened, along the eastern border of which Armenian principalities arose in the lands inhabited by Armenians, including Cappadocia.
One of these vassal states was the Artsrunid kingdom, which arose in Sebastia in -1020 under King Senekerim, when this ruler, along with a third of the entire population of his Vaspurakan region, left their lands and moved to the upper reaches of the Kyzyl-Irmak. This is the first vassal Armenian kingdom that arose in Cappadocia, which included Sebastia, as well as a number of cities and counties between the Pontic mountains and Euphrates. Byzantium hoped to use it as one of the barriers against the Seljuks. The Armenians titled Senekerim "the king of Armenia", while Constantinople gave him only the title of "patrick" (11th rank in the government hierarchy of Byzantium), "commander" of Cappadocia or "duke of Mesopotamia and strategist of Cappadocia". After the death of this ruler in 1026, under his successors, the state continued to expand its borders until it was captured by the Seljuks in 1080.
The next period is characterized by erosion and weathering. Due to the harsh continental climate of Cappadocia with sudden and significant temperature changes, cracks formed in the rocks. Water and ice contributed to the destruction of the rocks, along with heavy rainfall and the impact of rivers. (The Kyzyl-Irmak River and the rivers Nevshehir, Damsa and their tributaries played a special role in the formation of the valleys of this area). They destroyed volcanic rocks. Over time, separate hills were formed from the volcanic rock.
Stone pillars
This is how the famous "stone pillars" of the hoodoo, or peribajalars (tour. Peri bacaları, "fairy fireplaces", - remnants in the form of stone mushrooms and stone pillars of bizarre shapes and outlines. The geological section of these formations is as follows:
- at the top are basalts and andesites
- and below - tuffs
Pasha Baglari Valley (Pashabag). Nevsehir, Avanos, Chavushin, nat. Goreme park
Previously, basalts and andesites covered the tuff base completely, but now (due to the destruction process) they can be seen only in certain parts of the rocks: they hang in large blocks (“caps”) on cone-shaped tuff pillars. A clear horizontal line is visible below them, marking the border of the rock and tuff. The neck of the tuff cone gradually becomes thinner over time, due to which at some point this “cap” will collapse. Remnants not protected from above are completely destroyed. The process of their formation and destruction, which manifested itself in the Quaternary period, continues to this day.
Tuff cones rise either as a solid wall or in separate groups. Some of these rocks reach a height of 40 m. This type of formations is considered to be inherent exclusively in Cappadocia: the 18-km territory of Kyzyl-Irmak, Damsa-Chayy (in the east), Nevsehir-Chayy (in the west), and in the south 288 sq.m. between Oily and Kermil mountains. The typical form is "mushrooms", although there are more exotic forms. So, in the vicinity of Goreme is the so-called. Love valley (Lower Valley, also known as Penis Valley, Penis Valley), the rock formations of which have obvious phallic shapes (see illustration).
By the beginning of the 3rd century BC. e. Cappadocia was divided into 10 provinces, the names of which were retained by Strabo. Five of them were on Taurus: Melitena, Kataonia, Cilicia, Tianitis and Garsavritis. The other five were named: Lavinsen, Sargaravsen, Saravena, Hamanen, and Morimen.
In the time of troubles after the death of Ariarat IV (-), Cappadocia came under the power of Pontus, which was due to the vigorous activity of the aforementioned Pontic king Pharnaces I.
The widow of Ariarat V Philopator Laodice (Nisa?), In order to extend the time of her reign, killed five of her sons one after another. In the years BC. e. power in the country actually remained in her hands, only to then pass to her sixth son Ariarath VI. The king of neighboring Pontus, Mithridates V Everget, sent troops into Cappadocia “to support the young heir,” and then married him to his daughter Laodike.
As historians note, one of the country's sources of income was the slave trade, which was organized by the kings of Cappadocia and Bithynia, filling, for example, the slave market of the island of Delos, which supplied slaves to Rome. Cappadocian slaves are mentioned by the poets Horace, Persius, Martial, Juvenal.
Key dates
List of rulers of Cappadocia
Persian satraps of Cappadocia- Ariarat IV Evseb
- Ariarat V Philopatra
- Ariarat VII Philometor
- Eumenes (323-316 BC)
- Aminta (302-301 BC) - governor
- Regent Gordius (101-96 BC)
- Ariarat IX (96-95 BC)
- Ariarat VIII (secondary; 95-86 BC)
- Ariobarzanus I Philoroman (95-62 BC)
- Ariobarzanus II Philopatra (62-52 BC)
- Ariobarzan III (52-42 BC)
- Ariarat X (42-36 BC)
- Archelaus (36 BC - 17 AD; did not come from the Ariobarzanid clan). Spouse - Pifodoris
- Senekerim Artsruni (1022-1026).
- David, son (1026-1065).
- Atom, son (1065-1083)
- Abusahl, brother (co-ruler: 1065-1083)
From the XI-XV centuries. active Islamization of these lands begins.
Cave settlements in Cappadocia
In world culture
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In literature
In cinema
In computer games
- Cappadocia is one of the locations in the game Assassin's Creed: Revelations
Attractions and tourism
Cappadocia is one of the tourist centers Turkey. This is due to the presence of unique attractions created both by the forces of nature and by human hands.
The main groups of attractions of the province:
- Volcanic landscapes - rocks and outliers of bizarre outlines, created in the process of weathering.
- Cave and underground cities are settlements carved into soft rock formations or underground.
- Canyons - combine specific figures of weathering and, often, cave settlements.
Most of the attractions of Cappadocia are located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe city of Urgup. Here are Goreme, Zelve, Chavushin, Uchisar and other museums under open air.
Tourist service in Cappadocia is adjusted at the level of the main resorts of Turkey. There are hotels of all kinds, from manor houses to specific cave hotels. Transport links - by car, by buses or minibuses, allows you to get to the main attractions. Tourist Offices various companies are located in all cities, providing guide services and all kinds of excursions around the province.
see also
- Great Cappadocians - Church Fathers
- Cappadocian Greek - Considered a possibly extinct language.
- The Karamanlids are one of the peoples inhabiting Cappadocia.
- Meteora monasteries - another cave monastic complex
Lists:
Notes
- Richard Nelson Frye. ... - Verlag C.H. Beck, 1984. - P. 70.: "The position of the Cimmerians in the great power struggle between Assyria and Urartu is not easy to determine, but it seems that they moved westward against Phrygia and into Cappadocia, from whence probably the name Gomer came into the Bible and Gamirk" in Armenian . "
- Schmitt, R. Kappadoker // Reallexikon der Assyriologie und Vorderasiatischen Archäologie. - Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1980. - Bd. 5. - S. 399. and Summerer, L. Amisos - eine Griechische Polis im Land der Leukosyrer // Pont-Euxin et polis: polis hellenis et polis barbaron. Actes du X e Symposium de Vani, 23-26 septembre 2002: Hommage a Otar Lordkipanidzé et Pierre Lévêque / Kacharava, D.; M. Faudot et E. Geny, éd .. - Besançon: Institut des Sciences et Techniques de l "Antiquité, 2005. - P. 129-166. - 298 p. - ISBN 978-2848671062.... According to the older theory ( Ruge, Walther. Kappadokia //
Cappadokia (Greek Καππαδοκία, lat. Cappadocia, tour. Kapadokya, Pers. کاپادوکیه, Katpatuka - "Country of beautiful horses") is the historical name of the area in the east of Asia Minor on the territory of modern Turkey (part of the lands of the provinces of Nevsehir, Kayseri, Aksaray and ), used from antiquity to the present day. It is characterized by an extremely interesting landscape of volcanic origin, underground cities created in the 1st millennium BC. e. and extensive cave monasteries dating back to the early Christians. National park Goreme and Cappadocia cave settlements are included in the list World heritage UNESCO.
Location
At different times, the borders of Cappadocia have changed. At present, this name is usually understood as its main core. The region is located in the center of the Asia Minor Peninsula, without access to the sea. It is for the most part a flat plateau without vegetation with a continental climate, sparse rivers, which is located at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. From the south, it is bounded by the Erciyes Dag mountains, 3916 m, the Greek name Argeos) and Hasan (Hasan Dag, 3253 m) (Taurus ridge) and extends to the north in rows of valleys to the Kyzyl-Irmak river and the Tuz salt lake.
The main rivers of Cappadocia were Galis (now Kyzyl-Irmak) and Iris (now Yeshilyrmak) with a high-water tributary Likos (modern Kelkit). The former historical regions of Asia Minor that surrounded Cappadocia are as follows: from the north Pontus, from the north-east - Armenia, in the east Mesopotamia, in the south Syria and Cilicia.
These territories in ancient times were known as the Great Cappadocia or Mediterranean. From time to time, lands overlooking the Black Sea were included in Cappadocia, they were called Small, Pontic or Upper Cappadocia (although in history they are better known under the independent name Pontus, which was from time to time an independent state).
Language and population
During antiquity, the region was inhabited by Indo-European tribes of Iranian origin (Iranian peoples [source?]. Cappadocia, especially ancient and medieval, has a rather rich linguistic history due to the fact that the region lay at the crossroads of several important migration flows of both Indo-European and non-Indo-European peoples Moreover, medieval Kapaddokia is characterized by the gradual assimilation of Indo-European speakers (Greeks, Armenians, Kurds) by non-Indo-European (Turks).
After the capture of the region by Alexander the Great in the 4th century. BC e. in Cappadocia, the Hellenistic period begins, that is, there is a progressive assimilation or Hellenization of the local population. Nevertheless, neither in antiquity, nor in the times of Byzantium, when a special form of the Greek language - the Byzantine language - was spreading here - the complete assimilation of the autochthonous population did not take place. So, probably due to the fact that the Greeks accounted for no more than a third of the local population and did not pursue an aggressive linguistic policy, the Greek language was only the lingua franca of the region. In 1923, according to the Lausanne Treaty, the Greek-Turkish population exchange took place, according to which the entire Greek-speaking population left these lands.
The situation changed dramatically after 1071, when the won battle of Manzikert opened the gates for the Turks to Asia Minor. The massive influx of Turkic nomads and their dominant military position lead to Islamization, and then to the assimilation of most of the local peoples by the Turks. At the same time, the majority of Greeks switch to Turkish, or rather its special Karaman dialect (see "Karamanlids"). Among those few Greek peasants who retain the ability to communicate in Middle Greek, with a strong Turkish influence, the so-called Cappadocian language, which existed until the middle of the 20th century, is developing. Of the existing national minorities, one should note the Pocketlids and Cataons (residents of South Catonia).
According to the available data, in 1813, Armenians still accounted for about 60% of the population of Caesarea, and in the area of \u200b\u200bMount Erdjiyas, there were 34 Armenian villages.
With the transformation of the empire in 1919, the region became part of the Turkish Republic (officially since 1923). As a result of the administrative reform, the region was divided between the administrative provinces of Nevsehir, Kayseri, Aksaray and Nigde. Of the events in world history that influenced its fate, the Greco-Turkish population exchange of 1923 should be noted, when the Greek-speaking population, who had lived there for centuries, left these lands, and only the Turks remained. In addition, the region was affected by the extermination of Armenians. At the moment, despite the centuries-old history of Armenians and even several Armenian princes in Cappadocia, representatives of this nation do not live in the region. In addition, none of the Cappadocia guidebooks published in Turkey contains a word about the Armenians and Armenian rule in this territory.
Armenians in Cappadocia
In the history of this region, the Byzantine policy towards the Armenians in Cappadocia played an important role. Bordering in the northeast with Lesser Armenia, and in the east with Great, Cappadocia has long experienced the demographic influence of this nation, but during this period it acquired a special scope. The Byzantine Empire, in the context of the struggle against the Baghdad Caliphate, was engaged in the forcible resettlement of Armenians from Armenia to Asia Minor. There was also an ordinary, rather intensive emigration from the occupied by the Arabs of Armenia caused by the same war. The resettlement to the Byzantine territories was carried out mainly in Cappadocia (VII-IX centuries), as well as in Mesopotamia, Cilicia and Syria. “So, for example, the Byzantine commander Leo in 688 ruined 25 districts of Armenia and evicted 8000 families from there to Asia Minor. In 747, in 751, in 752, the Armenians were resettled to Asia Minor from Melitena and Karin (Erzurum) ”. The peak caused by the aggression of Byzantium and the invasion of the Seljuks fell on the 11th century. For example, in 1020-1021. Emperor Basil II resettled 15 thousand Armenian families from Van region to Sebastia (Asia Minor). The Byzantine emperors, having destroyed the Vaspurakan, Ani and other Armenian kingdoms, provided the Bagratids, Artsrunids and other royal and princely families with new possessions on the territory of the empire. These rulers concentrated power in their hands as Byzantium itself weakened, along the eastern border of which Armenian principalities arose on lands inhabited by Armenians, including Cappadocia.
One of these vassal states was the Artsrunid kingdom, which arose in Sebastia in 1016-1020. under King Senekerim, when this ruler, together with a third of the entire population of his Vaspurakan region, left their lands and moved to the upper reaches of the Kyzyl-Irmak. This is the first vassal Armenian kingdom that arose in Cappadocia, which included Sebastia, as well as a number of cities and counties between the Pontic mountains and Euphrates. Byzantium hoped to use it as one of the barriers against the Seljuks. The Armenians titled Senekerim "the king of Armenia", while Constantinople gave him only the title of "patrick" (11th rank in the government hierarchy of Byzantium), "commander" of Cappadocia or "duke of Mesopotamia and strategist of Cappadocia". After the death of this ruler in 1026, under his successors, the state continued to expand its borders until it was captured by the Seljuks in 1080.
In 1045, the Bagratid kingdom was formed in Cappadocia. It was founded in 1044, when, having seized the kingdom, Constantine Monomakh bestowed on its ruler Gagik II two cities (or even castles) - Pisa and Colonpalat. Gagik II, however, extended his power to Caesarea, Tsamndav and Khavartanek, receiving them as a dowry for the granddaughter of King Senekerim, daughter of David Artsruni. This vassal state existed until 1079, when Gagik was killed by Greek feudal lords.
The Tsamndav kingdom arose in 1065 from the possessions given to Gagik, the king of Kars, the son of Abas, in exchange for the lands he lost. They turned out to be the cities of Tsamndav (formerly Kidn) and Larissa. This state formation existed until the assassination of Gagik in 1081 by the Byzantines.
In addition to these three Armenian kings, numerous Armenian princely families along with their vassals and subjects moved to these lands. An important source on this topic is the writings of Smbat Sparapet.
The Arab historian Abu Al Faraj speaks of the 10th century Armenian settlers in Sivas as follows: “Sivas, in Cappadocia, was dominated by the Armenians, whose numbers increased so much that they became vital members of the imperial army. The Armenians were used in heavily fortified fortresses that were conquered from the Arabs as sentries. They distinguished themselves as experienced infantry soldiers in the imperial army and constantly fought with outstanding bravery and success with the Romans, in other words the Byzantines. " As a result of further military campaigns of Byzantium, the settlement of Armenians continued both in Cappadocia and in the eastern direction - to Cilicia and to the mountainous regions of northern Syria and Mesopotamia - until the era of the formation of the Crusader states.
Stone pillars
This is how the famous "stone pillars" of the peribacalar (Tur. Peri bacaları, "fairy chimney") were formed - remnants in the form of stone mushrooms and stone pillars of bizarre shapes and outlines. The geological section of these formations is as follows:
at the top are basalts and andesites
and below - tuffs
Previously, basalts and andesites covered the tuff base completely, but now, thanks to the process of destruction, they can be seen only in certain parts of the rocks: they hang in large blocks (“caps”) on cone-shaped tuff pillars. A clear horizontal line is visible below them, marking the boundary between the rock and tuff. The neck of the tuff cone gradually becomes thinner over time, due to which at some point this “cap” will collapse. Remnants not protected from above are destroyed completely. The process of their formation and destruction, which manifested itself in the Quaternary period, continues to this day.
Tuff cones rise either as a solid wall or in separate groups. Some of these rocks reach a height of 40 m. This type of formations is considered to be inherent exclusively in Cappadocia: the 18-kilometer territory of Kyzyl-Irmak, Damsa-Chayy (in the east), Nevsehir-Chayy (in the west), and in the south 288 sq.m. between Oily and Kermil mountains. The typical form is "mushrooms", although there are more exotic forms. So, in the vicinity of Goreme is the so-called. Love Valley (Lower Valley, aka Valley of the penis, Penis Valley), rock formations which have obvious phallic shapes.
In the vicinity of the city of Kula in the Aegean region of Turkey, there is a similarly named area "Kuladokkia", with an area of \u200b\u200b37.5 hectares, formed in a similar way from volcanic rocks.
Climate and vegetation
The climate of Cappadocia is moderately continental, with hot and dry summers and cold winters. In winter (from December to February), the temperature at night drops to negative values \u200b\u200b(0 ...- 15), during the day it is slightly positive (from 1 to 5 heat). The hottest time of the year is from June to September (at night +15 ... + 20, in the afternoon about 30 degrees). The driest month is August, there is only 10 mm of monthly precipitation, and the number of days with rain is on average no more than 3. Most of the precipitation falls in April and May (40-50 mm), they have 12-13 days with precipitation ... There is little vegetation, but the soil is excellent for growing grapes (one of the few regions in Turkey). The mountain plateau has a continental climate, unfavorable for the growth of southern grasses and fruit trees.
History
The history of Cappadocia dates back to 5 thousand BC. e. All this time, the region was at the crossroads of civilizations, alternately part of the Hittite, Persian, Roman and Ottoman empires and other state formations, and serving as the arena of numerous wars.
In 302 BC. BC, using the help of the Armenians who sheltered him, Ariarat II defeated the Macedonian commander Aminta and, having expelled the troops of the Greeks, restored possession, although the country still remained in the Seleucid zone of influence. At first, Cappadocia recognized the power of the Pontic kings over itself, although it was actually independent. The final division between the two kingdoms took place around 255 BC. e., when Ariarat III took the royal title.
By the beginning of the 3rd century BC. e. Cappadocia was divided into 10 provinces, the names of which were retained by Strabo. Five of them were on Taurus: Melitena, Kataonia, Cilicia, Tianitis and Garsavritis. The other five were named: Lavinsen, Sargaravsen, Saravena, Hamanen, and Morimen.
Ariarat III the Pious in 193 BC e. participated in the war against the Romans in alliance with Antiochus, for which he had to pay part of the indemnity imposed on Syria. Since then, he has become a staunch ally of the Pergamon and Romans. Friendship with the Romans, as Titus Livy notes, was concluded in 189-187. In 182 BC. e. his quarrel with Pharnacus of Pontus unleashed a general war among all the states of Asia Minor. Pharnaces attacked Cappadocia, but the kings of Pergamum Eumenes and Attalus unexpectedly sided with Ariarates.
In the struggle against this coalition, Pharnaces was defeated and in 179 BC. e. was forced to sign the peace on unfavorable terms: to terminate all unequal agreements with the Galatians, to return Paphlagonia and the captured part of Cappadocia, and also to pay the winners 1200 talents of indemnity.
As Titus Livy notes, in 160 - 153. King Ariarat, with the help of cunning and force expelled from his kingdom by Demetrius, by the will of the Senate was restored to the throne. Ariarat was forced to cede their Armenian possessions to the newly arisen states - Great Armenia and Sophene.
In the time of troubles after the death of Ariarates IV (156 - 131), Cappadocia came under the power of Pontus, which was due to the vigorous activity of the aforementioned "" pontic king Pharnaces I.
Ariarat V Philopator fought with Aristonikus of Pergamon, who raised in 133 BC. e. uprising against the Romans, and died in this war, but Lycaonia and Cilicia were annexed to the possessions of his heirs by the grateful Romans.
The widow of Ariarat V Philopator Laodice (Nisa?), In order to extend the time of her reign, killed one after another five of her sons (stepsons?). In 130-129. BC e. power in the country actually remained in her hands, only to then pass to her sixth son Ariarath VI. The king of neighboring Pontus, Mithridates V Everget, sent troops into Cappadocia “to support the young heir,” and then married him to his daughter Laodike.
As historians note, one of the sources of the country's income was the slave trade, which was organized by the kings of Cappadocia and Bithynia, filling, for example, the slave market of the island of Delos, which supplied slaves to Rome. Poets Horace, Persius, Martial, Juvenal mention Cappadocian slaves.
It originates from time immemorial. The name "Cappadocia" has a controversial origin. It is believed that the Hittites gave this name to the area. "Katpatuka" means "Country of beautiful horses" or "Country where good horses were bred." Basically, this idea has soil. When the Hittites came here, the local population was already sedentary, engaged in, among other things, horse breeding. Horses, like their distant ancestors, hipparions, have been found here since time immemorial. Therefore, the local population, of course, mastered this branch of animal husbandry.
However, linguistic research also cites theories. For example, in 2000. BC. in this area, the belief in the goddess Khepat (Kuta-Khepat, i.e. Sacred Khepat) was spread. Perhaps this is the basis that later in the Hellenic language was transformed into "Cappadocia". And it means "Country / people of the sacred Hepat".
If scientists do not come to a common denominator with the origin of the name, then with the formation of a local unique landscape everything is more or less clear. A long time ago, back in the 3rd geological period, millions of years ago, the Middle Anatolian plateau was a sea located on a plain and surrounded by forests, where mastadons, hipparions (ancestors of horses) and other animals of that time lived. As a result of geological upheavals and uplift mountain ranges Taurus in the south, in this area a volcanic chain is formed, incl. now alive (but glory to you, Lord, inactive) volcanoes Erdzhiyas (3917 m), Hasan (3268 m) and Melendiz (2935 m). About 10 million years ago, these volcanoes were very active. As a result of their activities, an incredible amount of ash was thrown out and lava was poured. All this was deposited in layers. As a result, this area has risen 200 m from the original level. Over the years, ash turned to tuff, lava to basalt. Erosion occurred under the influence of wind, rains, temperature changes. Tuff is a very fertile material for this business. As a result, this unreal surreal area was born under the name: all these magic pipes of the fairies (called in Turkish, peribacalar / peribacalar, or in English fairy chimneys), unthinkable canyons, valleys, unreal figures. Unfortunately, what once created this fantastic area will ruin it. Erosion continues, which means that someday all this beauty will disappear.
peribajalar
People have lived in this area since time immemorial. They were engaged in gathering, hunting, fishing. They settled along the main water source of the Kyzylirmak River, leading a predominantly nomadic lifestyle. Gradually, people began to develop fertile local soils, which led to their complete settlement and the emergence of populated areas. Thanks to the work carried out since 1964 by the Ankara Archaeological Institute, various stone objects related to the Paleolithic have been found. And also installed populated placesdating back to the Neolithic. The largest of them are Adzhigol, Tatlarin.
In the 4th century. 3 Great Cappadocians lived here: Gregory of Nyssa, Basil of Caesarea and Gregory the Theologian. They are respected in both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
Church of the period of struggle against icon painting. Church of st. Vasily. Valley of Gomeda
Christianity in Cappadocia flourished in full color under both the Seljuks and the Ottomans. Islam and Christianity have coexisted here for centuries in complete love and harmony. Love ceased to exist in these places only in the 20s. 20th century with the beginning of a sad page in the history of Turkey, called a very neutral "population exchange", Ie. when in fact the local Greeks were expelled from Turkey, and the Turks from Greece.
Then again the years of oblivion. Monasteries and churches with their unique frescoes are being destroyed or converted by local peasants for storage, sheepfolds or dovecotes. The tourist boom hit Cappadocia only in the early 80s. and continues to this day. Hotels and other tourist infrastructure, some monasteries and churches are being restored. Today the Goreme National Park (it is almost 300 sq. Km) is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The history of Cappadocia goes back centuries. For many centuries, people rushed to Asia Minor, and from here they scattered all over the world. European and Asian conquerors crossed this land from end to end, leaving behind unique cultural monuments, many of which have survived to this day. True, often only in the form of ruins. But the latter are also able to talk and tell a little, for example, about the ancient powerful state on the territory of modern Cappadocia - the kingdom of the Hittites. It is with the Hittites that the history of Cappadocia begins.
Cappadocia within the Hittite and Persian empires
In the 17th century BC. e. its ruler Hattusili I made the city his capital Hattushash, which his descendants decorated with temples and a rock sanctuary Lingual... The state of pastoralists, scribes and soldiers existed for about a thousand years. Six centuries of war chariots hittites terrified the peoples of Asia Minor. Their rapid run could hardly stop Babylon and Ancient Egypt... But kingdoms are not eternal - about 1200 BC. e. hittite Empire fell under the onslaught of the "sea peoples" and the Phrygians, leaving us only the ruins of the Cyclopean walls and a priceless collection of cuneiform writing.
That came to replace them persian erastretched out before the invasion Alexander the Great in 336 BC e., also not rich historical monuments... The Persians are better known for their destruction rather than their construction. Although in Cappadociawhere the nobility settled, their culture lasted several centuries longer than the rest of the ancient Anatolia... And by the way, the name itself goes back to Persian "Katpatuka", What means "The country of beautiful horses".
Greco-Roman period in Cappadocia
Alexander the Great flashed through history like a meteor. In an incredibly short time - eleven years from the day of the invasion to his death - he managed not only to free Anatolia from the Persians, but also contributed to the rapid spread of Greek culture. The state did not escape this fate Cappadocia - the Greek language and literature began to gradually replace the Anatolian languages. First, the wealthy classes, and then the peasants, began to use Greek as their main means of communication. End of continuous internecine wars that began after death Alexander the Great, put Rome, which from 190 BC. e. slowly but surely annexed Anatolia to his vast empire.
In 17 A.D. e. Tiberius made the whole region. At the same time, the central city of Matsaka began to be called Caesarea or Caesarea. Today it is a city Kayseri ... Talking about Cappadocia, it is impossible to leave aside. Having originated in Roman Palestine, it established itself surprisingly quickly in these places, which was largely the result of the missionary activity of Saints Peter and Paul, who lived and preached at that time in the lands of Anatolia.
Byzantine period in Cappadocia
As a “country of churches”, as a spiritual center of all Anatolia, it existed until the 11th century. The Byzantine Empire was decrepit. Countless raids of the Turkic tribes undermined her power. Under Emperor Roman IV Diogenes in 1071 a decisive battle took place with the army of the Seljuk Turks. Despite the huge numerical superiority over the irregular Turkish cavalry, the Byzantine troops were defeated. Diogenes himself was captured and bought life at the expense of part of his lands. To their number belonged ... To be fair - the Seljuks were quite tolerant of Christians and Christianity, and monasteries could well continue to exist. However, ties with the Greek world were severed, the communes began to disintegrate, and most of their inhabitants took up agriculture.
History of Cappadocia during the time of the Seljuks and the Ottomans
Seljuks professed Islam, and with their appearance on the territory Cappadocia a new religion came. It was from this moment that the followers of Mohammed began a victorious procession throughout Anatolia, making the city the temporary capital Horse, then part of cappadocian lands. Sultan Aladdin Keykubat gathered in it the outstanding artists, scientists and theologians of his time. A little later, the first mosques and madrasahs were erected in the city. But the cultural upsurge ended abruptly and unhappily: in search of the “last sea”, the indiscriminate hordes of Genghis Khan wandered into Anatolia. In those days, when the Mongols ruled in Anatolia, a detachment of retreating Seljuks, under the command of Sultan Aladdin, was unexpectedly attacked by them and completely surrounded. To the rescue of the astonished Aladdin came unknown warriors. The Mongols retreated, and the grateful sultan immediately inquired about the name of the commander of the brave horsemen. “Ertogrul, Osman's father,” the warrior replied. This is how the legend describes the appearance of Ertogrul with four hundred and forty-four horsemen and, in fact, the entire Ottoman Empire ... At the end of the 13th century, the Ottomans became the last conquerors of Anatolia. Great Ottoman Empire lasted until 1923 (before the foundation), and Cappadocia in its composition slowly and inevitably turned from an arena of turbulent historical events into a peaceful and quiet province. But she did not cease to amaze the world ...
