As a result of its geographical setting- situated where the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas meet one another – Marmaris is an important port and coastal town. It has thus acted as a stage where events between Aegean and Mediterranean countries were enacted. The jagged shores of Marmaris and the surrounding area, its well-protected coves and harbors facilitated relationships between Asian, European and Afrıcan countries.
Marmaris and its environs, steeped in Caria’s centuries-old history became pivotal marine bases thanks to the trade route between Rhodes and Egypt; an deven began to compete other Aegean ports.Still, invasions by inland cities trying to reach the sea were inevitable.
The Caria Region and Era Through the Ages
It is possible to state that the Cria region once encompassed lands that today make up the province Muğla; However, the communities that lived here before the Carian era have yet to be ascertained.According to some historians the Luwians who lived around 2000 BC, and perhaps even earlier, constituted the local people. The Carians and the Lelegians were both considered the same.
After the Carians became stronger and self-confident, through grueling warfare they conguered the island Rhodes, which had been under Phoenician rule.They later attaccked and took control of all Aegean Islands Delos (3000 BC), and soon after dominated over Crete and Minoa.
The Carian’s reign continued until the time of Minoan king Menes ; through long struggles Menes succeeded in throwing the Carians off Cretan lands. It took a whıle fort he mainland; they were attacked by nearby states and entered their rule.Nevertheless, they were generally able to hold onto Marmaris.
First Arrivals in the Caria Region
According to some sources, a number of nomadic tribes had arrived on Aegean shores called Phoenicia prior to becoming known as Caria. The region was then called Carisa, after Sesif’s grandchild Carisa Avr, who had arrived with the Lelegians and reigned over the area up to Ephesus. It is also reported that a more superior tribe ruled over this region, which wore crested helmets and bore two-handledshields.This tribe had come and settled in teh region under the leadership of Car, Grandchild of Inacuos who had long-ruled over ‘Argos’. It is after Car that the region became known as Caria, in about 3400 BC.
However, Carians did not accept views that considered them indigenous to Crete, And stated that always lived in Caria, the mainland, and were always known as Carians.Renowned historians Herodotus and Homer concur that the Carians were placed around and settled in Miletus and Mount Mycale. During the time of Herodotus and Homer, these Carian cities had been a member of the lonian league and thus, Grek cities.
The Egyptian and Scythian Periods
The Egyptians reigned over Caria for a short while, followed by the rule of the Scyths. During the time the Scyths rules the land they set up nine cities in the region and expanded their borders from the Aegean Sea, to the Assyrian frontier. Another source reports that the Assyrians took control of this region after the Scyths.
Carians During the Trojan Wars
Liberating themselves from Assyrian reign, the Carians participated in the Trojan Wars, famous for its wooden horse as explained in detail by Homer, by sending mercenaries, as did some Asian tribes (1280 BC). According to another narrative, because the Trojans lost the war in 1209 BC. Carians were among the defeated as well. As a result of the internal upheavals and battles that appeared in Greece following the Trojan Wars, a number of new invaders began to arrive at and colonize the Aegean islands and shores.
New Colonies: The Eolians, Ionians, and Dorians Eolians
This invasion advance (Project) was conceived and initiated by Orest of Eolia, and resulted in their obtaining a part of Myus and Caria (1124 BC).
Ionians
The Ionians undertook the second advance against the Carians in two wings, around 1044 BC. The first wing charged toward the Ephesus region under the lead of the king’s son Andruclos, and the second attacked the Miletus area; the region fell to Ionian reign.
Dorians
The Dorians advanced stealthily; over time they charged the Peloponnesian area, and otherislands of İstanköy and shores. By about 1000 BC they had control over Caria’s southern parts, and the islands of İstanköy and Rhodes. They established seven cities in the region, the most important two being Knidos and Halicarnassus.
Caria – Lydia Relations
The Carians enjoyed a close relationship with the Lydians that went back quite a long ways; Carian administrators managed Lydia.
The most warring soldiers of Asia Minor, the Carians were also part of the mounted army during the most magnificent era of the Lydians, the Heraclid era.
There are various narratives on how the Lydian Kingdom passed into Carian hands.In one such account, it is said that Queen Nisa also participated in a rebellion movement organized by the Carian soldiers in Lydia. Carian Kigi, son of Daskyl became the new king as a result of this revolt, after which he United with the Carians and expelled the Ionians on Lydian lands.During the time of the last Lydian king Croesus, born to a Carian mother, Caria and Anotolia entered Lydian rule, with the excaption of Lycia and Cilicia (560 BC).
Persian Reign Over Lydia and Caria
In 546 BC Lydian King Croesus found it unable to stand against the Med King Kyros, and after a 14-day siege of the city Sardis, surrendered to the Persians.Naturally, together wıth Lydia, Caria also fell to the Persians (546 BC)
The Satrapy Period in Caria
The Persians ruled the lands they conquered via satraps they assigned. These satraps paid taxes to Persia, and ruled the land according to their wishes. There were still a few cities in Caria and the surrounding area that had not yet surrendered.The Persian king ordered the Caria satrap Harpagus to attack these cities. One of these cities was Caunos. Although the Caunosians prepared for war and exhibited strong resistance, they were still unable to prevent invasion. And despite the fact that the Carians were pretty strong at the time, apart from a few small battles, they unexpectedly surrendered.
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