Pamphylia

• Pamphylia was a Roman Province which is today in the Antalya Province of the Mediterranean Region of southern Turkey.

1. History

• Pre-Roman history:
  • Pamphylia belonged to the Hittite Empire until its demise in 1,215 BCE.
  • Greek tribes inhabited the region since 12th century BCE.
  • The Persian Empire controlled Pamphylia from the 6th century BCE until Alexander the Great invaded in 333 BCE.
• Acquisition by Rome:
  • 190 BCE The Romans invaded in order to successfully repulse the invasion of Turkey from Syria, by the King of the Seleucid Empire, Antiochus III.
• Timeline of this Province:
• Under The Republic:
  • From 150-67 BCE. Coracesium (The Crow’s Nest) (Alanya today), became the capital of the Pirates of Cilicia.
  • Between 78-74 BCE, the Proconsul for Cilicia, Publius Servilius Vatia Isauricus, began a campaign to clear the Pirates of Cilicia from the sea and from their fortresses.
  • In 67 BCE Pompey and the Pirates was a war which swept the Cilician Pirates away permanently from the Mediterranean Sea.
• After Augustus’ reconstituted the Republic into an Empire (27 BCE):
  • 43 CE Claudius ended Lycian independence and merged it with Pamphylia.
  • 74 CE Vespasian officially merged the two Provinces into one and called it Lycia et Pamphylia.
• After Diocletian’s Reforms (297 CE):
  • 314 CE or 325 CE. Pamphylia and Lycia were again separated into independent Provinces.
• After Death of Theodosius (395 CE) and the final split into Eastern and Western Empire:
• Famous Persons from this Province:
  • Apollonius of Perga (c.262-190 BCE)
    • Greek Mathematician and Astronomer who gave the Mathematical Names: Ellipse, Parabola and Hyperbola and is famed for his treatise on Conics.
• Chief Archeological Finds:
• Historic Battle Sites:
  • Coracesium (67 BCE) (Capital of the Pirates of Cilicia).
• Main Historical Sources for this Province:

2. Geography

• Capital City:
  • Perga (Ruins)
• Chief Cities:
  • Antalya (Attalia), Aspendos (Ruins), Side (Ruins), Sillyon (Ruins), Alanya (Coracesium), Termessos (Ruins)
• Location Today:
  • Turkey, Antalya Province
• Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
  • Lycia, Galatia, Cilicia
• Climate and Temperature Today:
  • Antalya has a Mediterranean climate where temperatures average 30°C:
  • Summer: Hot and Dry. Temperatures can rise to 43°C in July on the Coast
  • Winter: Mild and Rainy. Temperatures can drop to -4°C in February. The Taurus Mountains hold back the cooler air from the North.
• Main Geographical features:
  • Lake of Ergedin Gol located at 2,800 ft (853m) above sea level and is 30 miles (48km) long, in Pisidia.
• Main Rivers:
  • Aksu Cayi (R.Cestrus), Kopru Cayi (R. Eurymedon), R. Melas (Manavgat Cayi)
• Mountain Ranges:
  • Taurus Mountains in the North
• Islands:
  • No Islands, but the coast consists of Rocky Headlands which could be easily fortified.

3. Political Organisation

• Province Type:
  • Imperial Propraetorial.
    • In 43 CE united with Lycia, and in 74 CE, it was renamed the Province of Lycia et Pamphylia.
• Governor:
  • Propraetor
• Tribes and Population:
  • Achaean, Dorian and Aeolian Greeks.
• Language:
  • Ancient Greek.

4. Military Organisation

• Legions:
• Navy:
• Defensive Works:
• Main Threats:
  • Pirates of Cilicia (167-67 BCE)

5. Economy

• Chief Exports:
  • Timber, Limestone, Olives, Olive Oil
• Agriculture and Fishing:
  • Forests and Olive and Citrus Groves
• Manufacturing:
  • Shipbuilding
• Mines:
• Mints:

6. Transport

• Roads:
  • Mediterranean Coastal Road
    • Ephesus–Tarsus–Antioch
• Waterways:
• Ports:
  • Perga, Side
• Ancient Trade Routes:
  • Attalia, and other Ports connecting with Paphos in Cyprus.
• Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

7. Relationship with Rome

• Very wealthy Province whose affluent cities can be seen today as the Roman Ruins of Aspendos and Side.

8. History of Christianity in this Province

9. Roman Authors describing this Province

Pamphylia (capital Perga Ruins, Aksu)