Paphlagonia
Paphlagonia is the ancient name of a landscape on the Black Sea, on the central north coast of Asia Minor with an area of about 100 x 400 km. In the west it bordered on Bithynia, to the east by Pontus, on the south by Phrygia and Cappadocia. The Greek name Paphlagonia stems according to ancient tradition, the tribe of Paphlagonians, allegedly emerged from the Eneti / Veneti. It is unclear whether eventually applied to the ancient name of the name of the Palaer.
Around 2000 BC existed in Anatolia, the Principality of Hatti. They have been replaced by Indo-Europeans, whose migration brought some folks here: The people of the Palaer settled in Paphlagonia down, the Hittites and Luwians in central and southern Anatolia. Whether the States from the 15th century BC mentioned in Hittite sources, based in Paphlagonia Kaskäer are indigenous or immigrant, is controversial. Gradually principalities emerged (1660-1460 BC) from which ( BC 1460-1190 ) emerged among others, the United Empire of the Hittites. It was organized as a federative feudal state and graduated in 1269 with Egypt, the second superpower of the age, probably the first non-aggression pact in history.
At least in the 7th century BC, especially Greek Ionians from Miletus began to settle on the Black Sea coast. However, long- existed previously trading contacts between Greeks and inhabitants of northern Anatolia. Around 500 BC, the south of the area was annexed to the Persian Empire and later became part of the Kingdom of Pontos. By Pompey the coastal region came to the Roman Empire. Its strongest opponent was the Pontic King Mithridates VI. Eupator ( 121-63 BC), the Rome succumbed after several wars 85 BC
In the year 64 BC, Pompey set up seven new cities in formerly dominated by small principalities inland and united the region with the province of Bithynia Bithynia et Pontus. The most important of the new towns was Pompeiopolis, the political and economic center Zentralpaphlagoniens remained until the early Middle Ages. The main town on the coast and the only good harbor was Sinope.
In addition to Pontus in Asia Minor is now divided into the province of Syria in the east and Cilicia ( Cilicia ) to the south. The kings of Paphlagonia and Galatia, of Cappadocia and Commagene retained as vassals of Rome and as a "buffer " against neighboring peoples her throne. Only with Augustus and his " Pax Romana " began around the time of a heyday, which lasted until the 2nd century AD, Emperor Trajan and Hadrian. In the administrative reforms of the emperor Diocletian the province of Bithynia et Pontus 295 was divided into the provinces of Bithynia, Paphlagonia and Diospontus, and 384/7 were parts Paphlagonias beaten to the Provincial Honoria.
From late antiquity, Paphlagonia was part of the Byzantine Empire until it fell early 13th century the Empire of Trebizond and later to the Turks. Progress of the Turkmen Seljuk began in the 11th century and brought them after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 almost the whole of Anatolia. The center of the kingdom of Rum Seljuk was Iconium (present day Konya ) in the south.
With the onslaught of the Mongols middle of the 13th century, the Seljuk State was divided into many principalities. One of their dynasties, named after their leader Osman I the Ottomans conquered the surrounding areas and took 1326 the Byzantine Bursa. In the Ottoman Empire finally lost Paphlagonia name and autonomy.