Fatih Çetinkaya

A view of the Altintepe Mound.

H I S T O R Y

ANTIQUITY PERIOD

We still do not have thorough information about the history of Erzincan. However, historians report that the Hurris lived in this region during 2000 BC, and the Hayashes and Azzis ruled here during the beginning of the first half of the year 2000 BC.

The Hittites, who established a big empire in Anatolia between 1850-1180 BC with Hattushas being its capital, also dominated the Near East. Certainly, Erzincan was under their rule as well. Various works belonging to the Hittites and their settlements have been discovered during the excavations carried out in various parts of Anatolia.

Although there is no trace of a Hittite settlement in the Erzincan region, it is definite thet the region was under the Hittite rule for some time.

Ivory Lion Sculpture, Altintepe finding.

THE URARTU PERIOD

One of the states founded in Antiquity in East Anatolia was the Urartu State. The Urartu State was founded in 900 BC, and its capital was Van (Tuspa). It expanded its from the Caspian Sea to Malatya and from Erzurum-Erzincan in the north to Aleppo-Mousul in the south.

Many works belonging to the Urartu civilization heve been discovered during the excavations (1953) held in Altintepe near Erzincan led by Prof. Tahsin ÖZGÜÇ, and these proved the presence of Urartu sovereignty in this region.

Urartu cities, exposed to many attacks throughout the years, were ruined one by one, and they were totally destroyed during the invasion of Anatolia by the Medes (around 600 BC).

THE MEDES PERIOD

Erzincan and its vicinity was overtaken by the Medes, who had defeated the Urartus and started invading Anatolia (612 BC). The wars fought with the Lydians during the reign of the Mede King Kyaksar, most probably took place in Erzincan or its vicinity. These regions were conquered by the Persians about 550 BC.

THE PERSIAN PERIOD

While the Hittites invaded Anatolia, the Persians took over the Plateau of Iran. The rise of the Persians coincide with the period of Cyrus (550-530 BC) and the period of Cambis (530-522 BC). In this period, Erzincan and its proximity were also conquered by the Persians. After the Persians, Asia Minor (Anatolia) was captured by the Macedonians.

THE ROMAN PERIOD

The Roman army, which attacked Anatolia at various times befored, began to take over East Anatolia (70 BC) under the command of Lucullus. After discharging the Sofen (Harput) Kingdom in the Elazig region, they also defeated the Tigran army Pontus Kingdom had put an end to the Roman superiority in the Erzincan region. The long-lasting conflicts between the Romans and the remaining powers of Pontus and Tigran resulted in favor of the Romans. Erzincan and its proximity, that staged continuous wars between Iran and the Byzantines, was finally taken back from Iran by the last Byzantine Empore Heraclius in the year 629.

Copper Cauldron, Altintepe finding.

THE HELLENIC PERIOD

Alexander, taking over the throne after the death of King Philip (336 BC), overran Anatolia from one end to the other and conquered Egypt, Mesopotamia and the entire Persian Empire.

Abrenk Abrenk ruins, Tercan.

Kemah Kemah Fortress.