- The Gallipoli Peninsular, also known as the Thracian Chersonese, is located in the East Thrace Region of the European part of Turkey. The Peninsular controlled access to the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea.
- It is famed for the failed Gallipoli Campaign (1915-1916) by the Allies against the Ottoman Turks, during the First World War (1914-1918).
Thracian Chersonese
- At Agora it had a 4 mile (6.5km) defending wall across it from sea to sea. From here the Peninsular was 48 miles (77.5km) long and had 12 cities.
- The important cities were Callipolis and Sestos, which was the main crossing point to Turkey.
- The other main cities were Agora, Cardia, Pactya Alopeconnesus, Madytos and Elaeus.
- Opposite, on the southern shore, and near the mouth of the Hellespont, was the ancient city of Troy.
- The Gallipoli Peninsular was also famous for its production and export of wheat.
The Dardanelles
- Under Augustus and the Roman Empire, Thracian Chersonese was split off from Thracia and administered separately under direct Imperial control as an ‘Ager Publicus’ or ‘Property of the State’.
- It controlled the Straits known as either the Dardanelles or the Hellespont.
- This was the shipping Route into the Sea of Marmara, which in turn connected via another Strait, the Bosphorus, to the Black Sea.
Gallipoli Peninsular