--- title: Asia Minor author: Joshua J. Mark source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2022-11-29 --- # Asia Minor _Authored by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/)_ Ancient Asia Minor is a geographic region located in the south-western part of Asia comprising most of present-day Turkey. The earliest reference to the region comes from tablets of the [Akkadian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/akkadian/) Dynasty (2334-2083 BCE) where it was known as The Land of the [Hatti](https://www.worldhistory.org/hatti/) and was inhabited by the [Hittites](https://www.worldhistory.org/hittite/). It was among the most significant regions of antiquity. [The Hittites](https://www.worldhistory.org/hittite/) themselves referred to the land as *Assuwa* (or, earlier, *Aswiya*) which actually only designated the area around the delta of the river Cayster but came to be applied to the entire region. *Assuwa* is considered the [Bronze Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Bronze_Age/) origin for the name *Asia* as the Romans later designated the area. It was called, by the Greeks, *Anatolia* - literally, 'place of the rising sun', for those lands to the east of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/). ### Name & Regions The name *Asia Minor* (from the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) *Mikra Asia* = Little Asia) was first coined by the Christian historian [Orosius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Orosius/) (l. c. 375-418 CE) in his work *Seven Books of History Against the Pagans* in 400 CE to differentiate the main of Asia from that region which had been evangelized by [Paul the Apostle](https://www.worldhistory.org/Paul_the_Apostle/) (which included sites known from [Paul](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Paul/)'s Epistles in the [Bible](https://www.worldhistory.org/bible/) such as [Ephesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/) and [Galatia](https://www.worldhistory.org/galatia/)). The [Byzantine Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/) of the 9th century CE referred to the region as *East Thema* which meant, simply, Eastern Administrative Division, and later sailors called it *The [Levant](https://www.worldhistory.org/levant/)* which meant 'the rising' or 'to rise' referring to how the land rose up out on the horizon of the sea. In the ancient world, Asia Minor was the seat of the kingdoms and [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of: - Thrace - Bithynia - Paphlagonia - [Pergamon](https://www.worldhistory.org/pergamon/) - Aeloia - [Phrygia](https://www.worldhistory.org/phrygia/) - Galatia - Pontus - [Armenia](https://www.worldhistory.org/armenia/) - [Urartu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Urartu_Civilization/) - [Assyria](https://www.worldhistory.org/assyria/) - [Cilicia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cilicia/) - Pamphylia - [Lycia](https://www.worldhistory.org/lycia/) - Pisidia - Lycaonia - Caria - Mysia - [Ionia](https://www.worldhistory.org/ionia/) - [Lydia](https://www.worldhistory.org/lydia/) - [Troy](https://www.worldhistory.org/troy/) ### Famous Sites & People The accomplishments and advancements of the people of Asia Minor are vast and comprise a catalogue of some of the most famous people, places, and events in ancient history. According to the historian Philo of [Byzantium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantium/) ([writing](https://www.worldhistory.org/writing/) in 225 BCE) and later writers, Asia Minor was the site of two of [the Seven Wonders](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Seven_Wonders/) of the Ancient World: The [Temple of Artemis at Ephesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Artemis_at_Ephesus/) (in the region of Ionia) and the [Tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/) of Mausolus at [Halicarnassus](https://www.worldhistory.org/halicarnassus/) (also known as the [Mausoleum at Halicarnassus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mausoleum_at_Halicarnassus/), in Caria). In the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Miletus, in Ionia, the first western philosopher [Thales](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thales_of_Miletus/) (l.c. 585 BCE), and his followers [Anaximander](https://www.worldhistory.org/Anaximander/) (l. c. 610-c.546 BCE) and [Anaximenes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Anaximenes/) (l.c. 546 BCE), sought the First Cause of existence, the matter which gave birth to all things, and initiated scientific inquiry and method. [Herodotus](https://www.worldhistory.org/herodotus/) (l.c. 484-425/413 BCE), the 'Father of History' was born at Halicarnassus. The great philosopher and mathematician [Pythagoras](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pythagoras/) (l.c. 571-c. 497 BCE) was born on the island of [Samos](https://www.worldhistory.org/samos/) and Heraclitus (l.c. 500 BCE), another important figure of [Greek philosophy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Philosophy/), at [Ephesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/), where he lived and wrote. Cilicia included the city of [Tarsus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tarsus/) where the Apostle Paul was born, a region known for its expertise in tent making, which was Paul's vocation. The region was also the site of the [Library of Pergamon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Library_of_Pergamon/), second only to the great [Library of Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/Library_of_Alexandria/), [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/), whose collection is said to have included over 200,000 books. The physician [Galen](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galen/) (l. 129-216 CE) was born at Pergamon and personally tended to the health of the [Roman Emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Aurelius/). [ ![Lydian Silver Stater](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/807.jpg?v=1722025625) Lydian Silver Stater Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/807/lydian-silver-stater/ "Lydian Silver Stater")### [Mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/) & History Lydia was the kingdom of the great King [Croesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/croesus/) (r. 560-546 BCE) who defied the Persian [Achaemenid Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Achaemenid_Empire/) under [Cyrus the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cyrus_the_Great/) (r.c. 550-530 BCE) and claimed to be the happiest man in the world until his defeat and capture by the Persians. Lydia was also the site where, in [Greek mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/), the [Titan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Titan/) called Asia lived and, earlier, where the great mother goddess Potnia Aswiya (Mistress of Assuwa) was worshipped (who became [Artemis](https://www.worldhistory.org/artemis/) and whose great [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) was dedicated in the capital of Lydia, at Ephesus). Phrygia was the mythological birthplace of [Rhea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rhea/), the Greek Mother of the Gods and the City of Troy was made famous in [Homer](https://www.worldhistory.org/homer/)'s 8th-century BCE works the *[Iliad](https://www.worldhistory.org/iliad/)* and the *[Odyssey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Odyssey/)*. The region of Asia Minor is regarded as the birthplace of [coinage](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/) and the first to use coined money in [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/); which of the kingdoms were the first to do this, however, is much disputed. Between 1250 and 1200 BCE the [Sea Peoples](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sea_Peoples/) invaded from the south, making incursions into Greece, harassing Egypt, and finally driving the Hittites from the region of Assuwa. The Sea Peoples did not remain to colonize the area, however (at least not to any important degree) and eventually moved on to settle, in part, to the south in [Canaan](https://www.worldhistory.org/canaan/). Greek colonists, mainly from [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) and surrounding Attica, settled the coastline of Asia Minor from the Mediterranean up to the Black Sea. It was these Ionian colonies which, supported and funded by Athens and Eretria, rose in revolt when the area came under Persian control, provoking the wrath of the Persian king [Darius I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Darius_I/) (r. 522-486 BCE) and the first invasion of Greece in 490 BCE which was repelled at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of [Marathon](https://www.worldhistory.org/marathon/). [ ![Library of Celsus, Ephesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/691.jpg?v=1775445994) Library of Celsus, Ephesus Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/691/library-of-celsus-ephesus/ "Library of Celsus, Ephesus")[Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) defeated the Persians in 334-333 BCE and conquered Asia Minor. In [Gordium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gordium/), capital of Phrygia, he is claimed to have famously cut the [Gordian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gordian_Emperors/) Knot which the oracles claimed meant [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/) would be king of Asia. Following his [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/), the land was governed by his general [Antigonus I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Antigonus_I/) in the north and west and his other general [Seleucus I Nicator](https://www.worldhistory.org/Seleucos_I/) to the south and east and was prominently involved in the [Wars of the Diadochi](https://www.worldhistory.org/Wars_of_the_Diadochi/) (the wars of Alexander's successors). The region remained unstable throughout the rule of the [Hellenistic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenic_World/) governors until the coming of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) in 133 BCE (King Attalus III of Pergamon left his city the [Roman Republic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Republic/) in his will and thus invited the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) presence fully into the region). After 133 BCE, Rome steadily conquered or annexed the cities of Asia Minor until it was wholly a Roman province. Under Roman rule, the land became stabilized; roads were built and the infrastructures of many of the cities improved. The coastal communities flourished and Ephesus, especially, enjoyed great prosperity until the rise of [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/) when 'earthly' advances in the region were neglected in anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ. The [Byzantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Byzantine/) [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/), which had held the region since 395 CE, continued its control after the fall of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) in 476 CE and, after the rise of [Islam](https://www.worldhistory.org/islam/), the later Byzantine Christians fought the [Islamic Caliphates](https://www.worldhistory.org/Islamic_Caliphates/) for the land until the coming of the Seljuq Turks in 1068 CE. Turkish control increased in the region until 1299 CE when Asia Minor became part of the [Ottoman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ottoman_Empire/) and, after its collapse, became Turkey. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Durant, W. *Our Oriental Heritage.* Simon & Schuster, 1954.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B00005WJGO/) - [Durant, W. *The Life of Greece.* Simon & Schuster, 2011.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B004ZZS4YA/) - [Freeman, K. B. *Companion to the Pre-Socratic Philosophers.* Harvard University Press, 1966.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B000VMQAIS/) - [Hamilton, E. *The Greek Way.* W. W. Norton & Company, 1993.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0393310779/) - [Herodotus. *Herodotus.* University Of Chicago Press, 1988.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0226327728/) - [Jordan, P. *Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.* Longman, 2002.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0582771870/) - [Worthington, I. *Alexander the Great.* Longman, 2004.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/140580162X/) ## About the Author Joshua J. Mark is World History Encyclopedia's co-founder and Content Director. He was previously a professor at Marist College (NY) where he taught history, philosophy, literature, and writing. He has traveled extensively and lived in Greece and Germany. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-j-mark/38/614/339) ## Timeline - **c. 6200 BCE**: First [copper](https://www.worldhistory.org/copper/) smelting in [Anatolia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/). - **c. 1700 BCE**: The [Hittites](https://www.worldhistory.org/hittite/) invade the region of the [Hatti](https://www.worldhistory.org/hatti/) and begin a systematic campaign against them. The great [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Hattusa is sacked and destroyed. - **c. 1380 BCE**: First instances of iron working in the [Hittite](https://www.worldhistory.org/hittite/) [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). - **1350 BCE - 1250 BCE**: The [Hittite](https://www.worldhistory.org/hittite/) [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) is at its peak. - **1334 BCE**: [Trojan War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Trojan_War/), according to Duris of [Samos](https://www.worldhistory.org/samos/). - **1285 BCE**: Peak of [Hittite](https://www.worldhistory.org/hittite/) power. - **c. 1250 BCE**: [Trojan War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Trojan_War/), according to [Herodotus](https://www.worldhistory.org/herodotus/). - **1200 BCE**: [Lydia](https://www.worldhistory.org/lydia/) arises as a Neo-[Hittite](https://www.worldhistory.org/hittite/) kingdom. - **1200 BCE**: Phrygians invade [Anatolia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) and destroy the [Hittite](https://www.worldhistory.org/hittite/) [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). - **1184 BCE**: [Trojan War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Trojan_War/), according to [Eratosthenes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Eratosthenes/). - **c. 800 BCE - c. 700 BCE**: [Homer](https://www.worldhistory.org/homer/) of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) writes his *[Iliad](https://www.worldhistory.org/iliad/)* and *[Odyssey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Odyssey/)*. - **c. 685 BCE - 546 BCE**: Mermnad Dynasty rules [Lydia](https://www.worldhistory.org/lydia/). - **c. 635 BCE - 585 BCE**: Reign of Alyattes of [Lydia](https://www.worldhistory.org/lydia/). Minting of first coins made from electrum. - **560 BCE - 546 BCE**: Reign of [Croesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/croesus/) of [Lydia](https://www.worldhistory.org/lydia/). - **547 BCE**: [Anatolia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) conquered by the Persians. [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/) remains neutral. - **499 BCE - 493 BCE**: Ionian [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) rebel against Persian rule. - **c. 498 BCE**: Ionians and [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) allies invade and burn [Sardis](https://www.worldhistory.org/sardis/) (capital of [Lydia](https://www.worldhistory.org/lydia/)). - **c. 449 BCE**: Ionian [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) become independent from [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/) under the [Peace of Callias](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peace_of_Callias/). - **c. 430 BCE - 415 BCE**: The *Histories* of [Herodotus](https://www.worldhistory.org/herodotus/) is published. The work is divided into nine chapters, each dedicated to one of the [Muses](https://www.worldhistory.org/muse/). - **279 BCE**: [Celts](https://www.worldhistory.org/celt/) invade Thrace and [Anatolia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/). - **262 BCE**: Eumenes rebels and wins against the [Seleucid](https://www.worldhistory.org/Seleucid_Empire/) Antiochus I. Beginning of the [Pergamon](https://www.worldhistory.org/pergamon/) [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). - **218 BCE**: The Aegosages [Celts](https://www.worldhistory.org/celt/) enter [Anatolia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) under [Attalos](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/attalos/) of [Pergamon](https://www.worldhistory.org/pergamon/). - **188 BCE**: Maximum extent of the [Pergamon](https://www.worldhistory.org/pergamon/) [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) after Apamea peace. - **c. 188 BCE**: The treaty of Apamea Kibotos. Peace and alliance is established between the [Seleucid Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Seleucid_Empire/) and [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) joined by its allies, such as [Pergamon](https://www.worldhistory.org/pergamon/) and [Rhodes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rhodes/). The Seleucids have to evacuate all the land and the [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) from [Asia Minor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) and to pay a huge [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) indemnity. - **133 BCE**: Attalus III, the last king of [Pergamon](https://www.worldhistory.org/pergamon/), bequeathes the whole of Pergamon to [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). - **25 BCE**: [Galatia](https://www.worldhistory.org/galatia/) is peacefully absorbed into the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/). - **42 CE - 62 CE**: [Paul the Apostle](https://www.worldhistory.org/Paul_the_Apostle/) goes on missionary journeys across [Asia Minor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/), [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/), and [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). ## Questions & Answers ### What is Asia Minor? Asia Minor (also known as Anatolia) is modern-day Turkey. ### Why was Asia Minor called Asia Minor? The designation `Asia Minor' was coined by the Christian historian Orosius in 400 CE to differentiate Asia-at-large from the part of Asia evangelized by St. Paul. ### What were some of the more famous cities of Asia Minor? Famous cities of Asia Minor include Ephesus, Caria, Lydia, Pergamon, and Troy. ### Who were some of the more famous people from Asia Minor? Famous people from Asia Minor include most of the Pre-Socratic Philosophers (notably Thales of Miletus, Anaximander, Anaximenes), the historian Herodotus, St. Paul, and the physician Galen among many others. ## External Links - [citysanctuary.nl](http://citysanctuary.nl/) - [The Seven Wonders](https://www.ancient.eu/The_Seven_Wonders/?utm_source=redirect) - [Thales of Miletus](https://www.ancient.eu/Thales_of_Miletus/) - [Ephesus](https://www.ancient.eu/ephesos/) - [The Asia Minor Website](http://asiaminor.progressiveworld.net/) - [Anatolia: Hatti, Phrygia, Urartu, Hurri, Mitanni](http://realhistoryww.com/world_history/ancient/Anatolia_Turkey_2.htm) - [Map of Ancient Greece and the Coast of Asia Minor](https://etc.usf.edu/maps/pages/6300/6351/6351z.htm) - [Oriental Religions in Roman Paganism: III. Asia Minor](http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/orrp/orrp07.htm) - [Çatalhöyük Research Project](http://www.catalhoyuk.com/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Mark, J. J. (2018, May 04). Asia Minor. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia\_Minor/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) ### Chicago Mark, Joshua J.. "Asia Minor." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 04, 2018. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia\_Minor/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/). ### MLA Mark, Joshua J.. "Asia Minor." *World History Encyclopedia*, 04 May 2018, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia\_Minor/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 04 May 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.