Cilicia is a historical and geographical region located in southeastern Anatolia, modern-day Turkey. It was an ancient country divided into two parts: Cilicia Trachaea, also known as "Rugged Cilicia," which encompassed the mountainous interior, and Cilicia Pedias, commonly referred to as "Flat Cilicia," which encompassed the coastal plains.
In classical antiquity, Cilicia was inhabited by the Cilician people, who were primarily of Anatolian descent. The region thrived in the Hellenistic and Roman periods as a prosperous and strategically important area due to its favorable geographical position between the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus Mountains.
Cilicia had a rich cultural heritage and was known for its maritime trade, craftsmanship, and agriculture. The region's capital city, Tarsus, was renowned as an intellectual and cultural center, being the birthplace of the famed philosopher and apostle St. Paul.
Cilicia's history is marked by periods of independence as well as domination by various regional powers, including Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Armenians. It was also commonly subject to invasions and conflicts due to its location at the crossroads of trade routes between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Today, the region still exists within modern Turkey, retaining its historical significance, although the name Cilicia is no longer in official use. The area boasts archaeological sites, ancient ruins, and remnants of its illustrious past, attracting tourists and researchers interested in exploring its rich history and heritage.
