Surrounded by the steep Taurus and Amanus mountain ranges, the fertile alluvial plain of Cilicia Pedias in modern Turkey is a true treasury of important monuments from numerous ages. Hittite and Assyrian rock reliefs serve as representations of power at this connection between Anatolia and the Levant. Since it relies on Goggle Earth, the Virtual Cilicia Project is able to show you these monuments as well as the ruins of Bronze and Iron Age settlements like e.g. Karatepe with its world-famous carved orthostats in their natural environments. Follow the tracks of Alexander the Great, who made a sacrifice to Athena Magarsia at the northernmost point of Plain Cilicia, before he continued to the city of Mallos, which still has not been located despite numerous efforts. Be impressed by the well preserved ruins of the Hellenistic mountain fortress of Karasis, which is situated upon an inaccessible mountain summit and was only discovered as recently as 1994. Explore the hideouts of the dreaded pirates who terrorized the Mediterranean in the 1st century BC before being defeated by Pompeius Magnus, who forced many of them to settle in cities. Wander through Hierapolis, the residence of king Tarkondimotos, who had formerly been a pirate, but eventually was issued command of the region by Pompeius. Discover the foundations of one of the largest temples from the Roman Imperial Age and explore the extensive structures of Late Antique and Early Byzantine villages and settlements. Learn more about the Byzantine Period in Cilicia, the 5th/6th cent. AD existence of which is attested by the impressive remains of churches and fortifications at Anazarbos. Using the timeline integrated in Google Earth allows you to experience the historic development of settlement interactively and documents the gigantic castle building program, which surrounded the Taurus mountain ranges with massive fortifications during the time of the crusades (11th – 13th century AD). The Virtual Cilicia Project’s goal is to document the vast diversity of Cilicia’s history and to present this cultural heritage in the context of its ancient and modern landscape to the expert and the layman. We are continuously adding information on excavation sites and monuments as well as data concerning the landscape’s development, in order to make the understanding of this settlement chamber more accessible. Explore (Virtual) Cilicia – We are looking forward to your visit and your feedback!
And see AWOL's Roundup of Resources on Ancient Geography
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