Cappadocia Classic Tour

Main Info

The history of Cappadocia began in prehistoric times. Hatti culture (2500-2000 BC) had its way during the Bronze Age and in about the 2nd Millennium BC the Hittites settled in the region. Soon the Assyrians (2000-1800 BC) had established their trading posts. Phrygians probably ruled Cappadocia from 1250 BC, but the Lydians were expelled by the middle of the 6th century BC by the Persians who ruled until 334 BC. In AD 17 the region became a Roman province, trade and military routes were built and urban centers and settlements were encourage. Once Asia Minor came under Christian influence, the first Christian communities appeared in Cappadocia and those persecuted for their religious beliefs elsewhere sought refuge in the region. Cappadocia thus became a melting pot of a variety of ethnic groups, all of which have influenced the culture and religious beliefs. Basilius the Great (329-379 AD), bishop of Caesarea (modern day Kayseri), inspired many religious colonies and for a thousand years an active monastic way of life endured throughout Cappadocia. Invasions first from Turkmenistan and Mongolia and then from Seljuks and finally Ottomans put an end to the movement.

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