Cappadocia

• Cappadocia was a Roman Province which is now in the Cappadocia Region of Turkey.

1. History

• Pre-Roman history:
  • Cappadocia formed part of the Hittite Empire (c.1,250 BCE) with its capital at Hattusa (Ruins).
  • Underground cities were built by the Hittites in Cappadocia, and later occupied by the Christians.
  • It became a Client Kingdom under the Persian Empire.
  • Between 95 BCE-14 CE, it became a Roman Client Kingdom.
• Acquisition by Rome:
  • 14 CE under Tiberius.
• Timeline of this Province:
• After Diocletian’s Reforms (297 CE):
  • Became part of the Eastern Roman Empire.
• Famous Persons from this Province:
  • Cappadocian Fathers.
• Chief archeological Finds:
  • There are 36 Underground Cities in Cappadocia, built to avoid invading armies, of which the following can be visited: Kaymakli, Derinkuyu and Gaziemir.

2. Geography

• Capital City:
  • Caesarea (Kayseri)
• Chief Cities:
  • Trabzon, Melitene, Satala, Tyana (Ruins at Kemerhisar) on the road through the Cilician Gates, a mountain Pass leading to Syria. Underground Cities: Kaymakli, Derinkuyu and Gaziemir.
• Location Today:
  • It is located in the Cappadocia Province of Turkey.
• Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
  • Pontus (West), Galatia (SouthWest), Cilicia (South), the Eastern Frontier with Armenia and the Parthian Empire (Persia).
• Climate and Temperature Today:
  • Continental Climate, Hot, Dry Summers and Cold Winters with Snow.
  • Little Rainfall leading to a semi-arid region.
  • The Central Anatolian Plateau is about 3,280 feet (1,000m) above sea level.
• Main Rivers:
  • River Kizirlirmak (The ‘Red River’ which drains via Galatia to the Black Sea).
  • The Upper Euphrates to the Persian Gulf.
• Mountain Ranges:
  • Taurus mountains to the south, separating the Anatolian Plateau from the Mediterranean.
  • Main Passes:
    • Cilician Gates lead from the Mediterranean Sea to the Interior.
    • Zigana Pass leads from the Black Sea to the Interior.
  • The Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia near Goreme. These are natural rock features that have been carved out by people who once lived in them.
• Islands: None.

3. Political Organisation

• Province Type:
  • Imperial Propraetorial Province
• Governor:
  • Propraetor
    • 131-137 CE Arrian
• Tribes and Population:
  • Greeks, Hittites, Medes and Persians.
• Language:
  • Greek.

4. Military Organisation

• Legions: (Two)
• Melitene:
  • Legio XII Fulminata controlling the road to Samosata and the Tomisa Crossing, the most important ford across the Euphrates north of the Taurus Mountains.
• Satala:
  • Legio XV Apollinaris (115-c.400 CE)
• Trapezus:
  • Units of Legio XV Apollinaris (until c.400 CE)
  • Units of Legio I Pontica (c.400 CE onwards)
• Ankara (Ancyra):
  • Units of Legio XV Apollinaris
• Navy: None.
• Defensive Works:
  • No Fortifications. The Frontier was protected by Mountains and Deserts.
  • Cilician Gates: This is the main Pass through the Taurus Mountains to the Mediterranean.
• Main Threats:
  • Traditionally, it was the main route for invading Persian Armies.

5. Economy

• Chief Exports:
• Agriculture and Fishing:
  • Garum, Saltpans
• Manufacturing:
  • Glass, pottery, jewellery, metalwork
• Mines:
• Mints:

6. Transport

• Roads:
  • Trabzon–Melitene
    • A Roman Road ran from Trabzon (Trapezus) on the Black Sea, through Satala, across the Taurus Mountains to Melitene.
    • From there it connected to Syria and the Euphrates, the Frontier with the Parthian Empire.
    • A junction from this road, led west to Ankara and the Sea of Marmara.
• Waterways:
  • Euphrates.
• Ports:
  • Trabzon (Trapezus) on the Black Sea.
  • Melitene on the Euphrates.
• Ancient Trade Routes:
  • Silk Road:
    • From the Euphrates to Trabzon (Trapezus), on the Black Sea.
• Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

7. Relationship with Rome

• Cappadocia was the Roman Frontier with Armenia and the Persian Empire. It was always guarded by at least two Legions and their Auxiliaries. The Legions were either moved from the Danube to reinforce the Eastern Legions against Parthia, or vice versa.
• Two routes existed:
  • By Sea to Trabzon (Trapezus).
  • By Road, the Via Militaris, to Byzantium, then the road continued through Ankara to the Frontier.

8. History of Christianity in this Province

• The Underground Cities:
  • Kaymakli, Derinkuyu, Gaziemir. The Entrances were defended by Christian populations against the Romans by a series of narrow tunnels with trapdoors leading to many levels, rolling stone doors, holes in ceilings to attack invaders.
• The Cappadocian Fathers:
  • These were three Philosophers: Basil The Great (330-379 CE), Bishop of Caesarea. Gregory of Nyssa (330-395 CE) (Basil’s brother and Bishop of Nyssa), and Gregory of Nazianzus (329-389 CE), Patriarch of Constantinople.
• Paul the Apostle visited Cappadocia.

9. Roman Authors describing this Province

Cappadocia (Caesarea, Kayseri, Turkey)