THE ARRIVAL OF THE TURKS Subsequently, the Turkmen tribes split off into a confederacy loosely based in the western steppes. The Selçuks belonged to one of the Oğuz Clans that had migrated westward in the 9th century. Based near the Aral Sea, several clans of the Oğuz under the leadership of their chief, Selçuk, broke
CHRISTIANITY AND THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE (AD 36-1000) In AD 36, St. Paul the Apostle traveled through Asia Minor, spreading Christianity and establishing the seven Churches of Revelation. From Antioch, through Cappadocia, and into Greece, he converted Gentiles while raising the ire of local Jews and pagans. Persecution only lessened in 251, with the third century,
ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND THE PAX ROMANA Persian hegemony over Asia Minor lasted until 333 BC, when their army was routed by Alexander the Great at İskenderun It was during this campaign that Alexander chose to slice rather than untie the mythical Gordion knot, thereby making himself the master of Asia (Gordion). Alexander’s conquests disseminated
ANCIENT ASIA MINOR (7000 BC-AD 36) FROM HITTITES TO HELLENES The beginning of the Neolithic Era in 7000 BC heralded the development of settlements and agriculture. Though the oldest evidence of settlements in Turkey is at Hacilar, 25km southeast of Burdur, the most impressive is Qatalhoyiik on the Konya Plain, where early settlers traded razor
Read the first chapter first: Life and Time in Turkey FLORA & FAUNA Along the Mediterranean and Aegean shores, scattered forests alternate with low herbaceous growth. Once covered in dense forest, Central Anatolia has been logged for centuries and now has abundant grasslands and grain fields. The Black Seashore has thick humid deciduous forests and
LAND GEOGRAPHY Turkey straddles two continents. In geographical terms, only 3 percent of the country Turkish Thrace is European. The vast majority of Turkey, known as Anatolia, lies in Asia between the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Turkey is a relatively big country: it’s some 1700km between the Bulgarian and Armenian borders, for instance, and about 1000km
THE TURKISH RIVIERA (12 DAYS) A wonder of the party world, Bodrum is the place to pursue hard-core hedonism, whether on a sun-soaked beach or in an open-air dance club. Recover aboard a relaxing Blue Journey boat ride to one of the many nearby Turkish islands and beaches. Or hop a continent via a short
SUGGESTED STINEİARBES “Bedroom of the Mediterranean.” Further up the coast awaits the sparkling Aegean Coast, housing the sun-bleached ruins of some of the ancient world’s most powerful cities: Bergama Foça, and Ephesus. THE BEST OF TURKEY (3 WEEKS) Begin in İstanbul, the traditional gateway to Turkey. Bargain for baubles, bangles, and beads at the Grand
RUNNING WITH THE PACK Backpackers have taken over Istanbul’s most historic neighborhood, Sultanahmet. Hip international types trade war stories in the shade of Hagia Sophia before moving on down the coast. The (well)beaten track leads to: Kuşadası, with a detour to the Greek island of Samos; Bodrum’s discos , with a jaunt to Greek Kos,
DOWN BY THE SEA Bordered on three sides by sea, Turkey offers up every imaginable flavor of coast¬line. Rumor has it that Marc Antony imported Akyaka’s powder-white silica as a gift to Cleopatra on their honeymoon. Alagadl Beach, on Northern Cyprus, and Patara are two of the last preserves of the endangered logger¬head turtles. Munch