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125-509: In antiquity, Amaseia was a fortified city high on the cliffs above the river. It has a long history as a wealthy provincial capital, producing kings and princes, artists, scientists, poets and thinkers, from the kings of Pontus , through Strabo the geographer, to many generations of the Ottoman imperial dynasty. With its Ottoman-period wooden houses and the tombs of the Pontus kings carved into

250-656: A charge against the Armenian horses and won a great victory at the Battle of Tigranocerta . Tigranes fled north while Lucullus destroyed his new capital city and dismantled his holdings in the south by granting independence to Sophene and returning Syria to the Seleucid king Antiochus XIII Asiaticus . In 68   BC Lucullus invaded northern Armenia, ravaging the country and capturing Nisibis , but Tigranes avoided battle. Meanwhile, Mithridates invaded Pontus, and in 67 he defeated

375-449: A continental Mediterranean climate. Highest recorded temperature: 45.0 °C (113.0 °F) on 30 July 2000 Lowest recorded temperature: −21.0 °C (−5.8 °F) on 15 January 2008 The province of Amasya is known for producing high-quality, small, well-flavoured apples. The Amasya-Tokat region the main area of production. The city is not so developed industrial terms, but is attractive and well-preserved, especially when sitting by

500-505: A corps of 120,000 troops armed "in the Roman fashion" and "drilled in the Roman phalanx formation". These units imitated Roman legions , although it is disputed to what degree they achieved this. The navy was organized in a similar fashion as the army. While the kingdom itself provided the main contingent of ships, a small portion represented the Greek cities. The crewmen either came from

625-520: A cultural centre under the Seljuks, Amasya now "became one of the main seats of learning in Anatolia". Between 1530 and 1545, several travelers documented a blood libel against some of the town's Jews . After the disappearance of a local Christian , several Jews living in town were blamed for killing him for ritual reasons. The Jews confessed under torture and were hanged. When the supposed victim

750-785: A dragon was increasingly transferred to the more-widely venerated Saint George beginning in the 13th century. In the Eastern church, St Theodore of Amasea is celebrated on 8 February in the Slavonic Byzantine calendar or on 17 February or on the 1st Saturday in Lent. In the western church, his date was 9 November but, since 1969 after the Second Vatican Council , he is no longer liturgically celebrated except in certain local calendars. The Eastern Orthodox Church and those Eastern Catholic churches which follow

875-457: A large Roman force near Zela . Lucullus, now in command of tired and discontented troops, withdrew to Pontus, then to Galatia. He was replaced by two new consuls arriving from Italy with fresh legions, Marcius Rex and Acilius Glabrio . Mithridates now recovered Pontus while Tigranes invaded Cappadocia. In response to increasing pirate activity in the eastern Mediterranean, the senate granted Pompey extensive proconsular Imperium throughout

1000-601: A particularly important attribute of St Theodore. Theodore was one of the important military saints of Byzantium and eventually had 15 churches in his honor in Constantinople. He was also widely venerated in Asia Minor, Syria, and Palestine and there are churches dedicated to him in Jerusalem and Damascus . The oldest Georgian Bir el Qutt inscriptions mention him twice. After the period of iconoclasm , from

1125-547: A peaceful, pro-Roman policy. He sent aid to the Roman ally Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamon against Prusias II of Bithynia in 155. His successor, Mithridates V of Pontus Euergetes, remained a friend of Rome and in 149 BC sent ships and a small force of auxiliaries to aid Rome in the Third Punic War. He also sent troops for the war against Eumenes III (Aristonicus), who had usurped the Pergamene throne after

1250-513: A play by Nâzım Hikmet , a novel by Talip Apaydın , and an opera by Arif Melikov . Amasya has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa) under Köppen classification and a hot summer oceanic climate (Doa) under the Trewartha classification. It is warmer than central Anatolia, and its weather is not as cold in winter months. It has features of both the oceanic climate of the Black Sea and

1375-489: A sermon on Theodore at Constantinople before 397. There was a church dedicated to him in Constantinople in 452, a mosaic created of him at Rome's Church of SS Cosmas & Damian c.  530 , and San Teodoro al Palatino , a separate circular church in his honor at the foot of the Palatine , was consecrated in the 6th or 7th century. The initial center of veneration was in the district around Amasea. From at least

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1500-540: A shrine at Euchaneia , but was said to have originally been from Euchaita. His "lives" are listed in Bibliotecha Hagiographica Graeca 1760–1773. Numerous conflicting legends grew up about the life and martyrdom of St Theodore so that, in order to bring some consistency into the stories, it seems to have been assumed that there must have been two different saints, St Theodore Tiron of Amasea and St Theodore Stratelates of Heraclea. There

1625-774: A soup containing yogurt , drunk hot or cold. Other specialties include pastries with poppy seeds and tea, served by the riverbank. There is an airport in the district, open for civilian flights since 2008. Previously, it was used only for military purposes. There are daily one-hour flights from/to Istanbul . Tourism has been increasing. In 2011, there were 500,000 tourists, 11,000 foreign; in 2012, 600,000, 22,000 foreign; in 2013, 750,000 total; 1 million were projected for 2014. Foreign tourists are mostly Germans and East Asians, notably from Japan and South Korea. In consequence, many hotels, especially boutique hotels, are opening. Many traditional Ottoman wooden houses have been restored and are now used as boutique hotels, cafes, bars. The ruins of

1750-630: A strong ally of Athens and revolted against Artaxerxes , but was betrayed by his son Mithridates II of Cius . Mithridates   II remained as ruler after Alexander's conquests and was a vassal to Antigonus I Monophthalmus , who briefly ruled Asia Minor after the Partition of Triparadisus . Mithridates was killed by Antigonus in 302   BC under suspicion that he was working with his enemy Cassander . Antigonus planned to kill Mithridates' son, also called Mithridates (later named Ktistes, 'founder') but Demetrius   I warned him and he escaped to

1875-600: A subject city of the Eastern Roman Empire , and the Venetians saw St Theodore as a symbol of their subjection to Constantinople. The adoption of St Mark as their patron helped to establish their independence. The new church of St Mark was built between the old chapel of St Theodore and the Ducal Palace . When this was enlarged and rebuilt in the late 11th century, the chapel of St Theodore disappeared in

2000-473: A warrior saint, and the local bishop Asterius of Amasea (died c.  410 ), some of whose polished sermons survive, are notable Christian figures from the period. In 2013, a 24-square-meter Christian mosaic belonging to the floor of a chapel was discovered, near a site where an illegal archaeological dig had been attempted. The mosaic, depicts apples, an apple tree, partridges and many geometric figures. In 1075, ending 700 years of Byzantine rule, Amasya

2125-469: A while, with Ottoman assistance; but in 1391/92, the mounting pressure forced him to cede the city to the Ottoman sultan Bayezid I , who installed his son, the future Mehmed I , as its governor. After the disastrous Battle of Ankara in 1402, Mehmed I fled to Amasya, which (along with nearby Tokat ) became his main residence and stronghold during the Ottoman Interregnum . As a result,

2250-460: Is considerable for the city's economy. Amasya is the second city in the country in marble exporting. In addition to that, Amasya is under the average of the country which is working in the industry employment. Amasya University was founded in 2006 (before it associated to Samsun University 19 May). Amasya is a city on the road of the Europe and Iran international way and it connects Samsun port to

2375-408: Is much confusion between these two saints, and each of them is sometimes said to have had a shrine at Euchaita in Pontus. In fact the shrine existed before any distinction was made between these two saints. The separate shrine of Stratelates was at Euchaneia , a different place. They were distinguished at least by the 9th century. However it is now generally accepted, at least in the west, that there

2500-465: Is named for Farhad (Turkish spelling Ferhat), the hero of the legend, who for love of the princess Shirin (Turkish spelling Şirin) tried to win her father's favour and permission by tunnelling through the mountain to bring spring water to his palace. Sadly, while he was working he was sent the false information that Shirin had died; upon which he threw himself onto the rocks in his grief. And his beloved princess died soon after. The story has since become

2625-418: Is not a very conservative city, unlike other central and eastern Anatolian cities. Social life in this city, partly owing to tourism, becomes more animated especially during the summer period. Many international circus groups visit this city. June 12 is a festival date for Amasya during this time, with many cultural and sporting activities on offer. The local cuisine includes the local specialty toyga çorbası ,

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2750-551: Is not slaying a dragon, but holding a draco standard . The "Christianisation" of the Thracian horseman iconography can be traced to the Cappadocian cave churches of Göreme , where frescoes of the 10th century show military saints on horseback confronting serpents with one, two or three heads. One of the earliest examples is from the church known as Mavrucan 3 ( Güzelöz, Yeşilhisar  [ tr ] ), generally dated to

2875-495: Is of great interest with an art gallery on its first floor and an ethnographical museum on the second. The Archaeological Museum of Amasya has an interesting collection including the mummies of the Ilhanli rulers of Amasya. The region's valley structure and this valley structure provide a temperate climate for many fruits growing. Other economic activities in the region include mining, textiles and cement manufacture. Most part of

3000-408: Is possible that Mithridates inherited part of Paphlagonia after the death of its King, Pylaemenes. Mithridates   V married his daughter Laodice to the king of Cappadocia, Ariarathes VI of Cappadocia , and he also went on to invade Cappadocia, though the details of this war are unknown. Hellenization continued under Mithridates   V. He was the first king to widely recruit Greek mercenaries in

3125-561: The Cohors Tyronum .) The saint is also distinguished as Theodore of Amasea , Theodore of Euchaita , and Theodore Martyr . The epithets are not generally needed, as Theodore Tiron is generally the intendend saint when the name "St Theodore" is used without other clarification. Theodore was a Greek , born in Amasea . The basic legend recounts that Theodore's cohort was sent to Pontus for winter quarters. Christianity

3250-591: The Battle of Orchomenus in 85   BC but was once again defeated and suffered heavy losses. As a result of the losses and the unrest they stirred in Asia Minor, as well as the presence of the Roman army now campaigning in Bithynia, Mithridates was forced to accept a peace deal. Mithridates and Sulla met in 85   BC at Dardanus . Sulla decreed that Mithridates had to surrender Roman Asia and return Bithynia and Cappadocia to their former kings. He also had to pay 2,000 talents and provide ships. Mithridates would retain

3375-856: The Boeotian League except Thespiae . Finally, in 87 BC, Lucius Cornelius Sulla set out from Italy with five legions. He marched through Boeotia , which quickly surrendered, and began laying siege to Athens and the Piraeus (the Athenian port city, no longer connected by the Long Walls ). Athens fell in March 86   BC, and the city was sacked. After stiff resistance, Archelaus, the Pontic general in Piraeus, left by sea, and Sulla utterly destroyed

3500-599: The Byzantine Rite , celebrate a miracle attributed to St. Theodore Tyro on the First Saturday of Great Lent . At the end of the Presanctified Liturgy on Friday evening (since, liturgically, the day begins at sunset) a special canon to St. Theodore, composed by St. John of Damascus , is chanted. Then the priest blesses kolyva (boiled wheat with honey and raisins) which is distributed to

3625-792: The Tauric Chersonesus now appealed for his aid against the Scythians in the north. Mithridates sent 6,000 men under General Diophantus. After various campaigns in the north of the Crimea he controlled all of the Chersonesus. Mithridates also developed trade links with cities on the western Black Sea coast. At the time, Rome was fighting the Jugurthine and Cimbric wars. Mithridates and Nicomedes of Bithynia both invaded Paphlagonia and divided it amongst themselves. A Roman embassy

3750-674: The Turkish War of Independence , the Christian inhabitants of Amasya (Armenian and Greek) suffered from atrocities. Many Armenian civilians fleeing the attacks sought refuge at the American missionary school Anatolia College , located in Merzifon outside Amasya. In 1921, Turkish troops closed down the school, and the local population relocated to Thessaloniki after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey . Also, in 1921 there

3875-515: The Yılanlı Kilise  [ tr ] ("Snake Church") that depicts the two saints Theodore and George attacking a dragon has been tentatively dated to the 10th century, or alternatively even to the mid-9th. A similar example, but showing three equestrian saints, Demetrius, Theodore and George, is from the "Zoodochos Pigi" chapel in central Macedonia in Greece, in the prefecture of Kilkis , near

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4000-487: The 10th century, which portrays two "sacred riders" confronting a two serpents twined around a tree, in a striking parallel to the Dioskuroi stela, except that the riders are now attacking the snake in the "tree of life" instead of a boar. In this example, at least, there appear to be two snakes with separate heads, but other examples of 10th-century Cappadocia show polycephalous snakes. A poorly preserved wall-painting at

4125-582: The 15th century Yildirim Beyazit Mosque and Complex; the 14th century Ilhanli Bimarhane Mental Hospital with lovely relieves around its portal, the extraordinary octagonal Kapi Aga Medrese (theological school), the Torumtay Mausoleum and the Gök Medrese. There are traditional Turkish mansions which have been well-preserved showing the best examples of Turkish architecture . The 19th century Hazeranlar Mansion has been restored perfectly and now it

4250-634: The 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey . Situated between the Black Sea and inner Anatolia in a region of fertile plains irrigated by the Tersakan , Çekerek and Yeşilırmak rivers, Amasya lies in a beautiful narrow river valley, bounded by almost vertical cliffs and the high peaks of the Canik and Pontus mountains. Despite the mountainous location, it is not far above sea level. This makes its climate more temperate. Five bridges cross

4375-576: The 3rd century BC. The Kingdom of Pontus was divided into two distinct areas: the coastal region and the Pontic interior. The coastal region bordering the Black Sea was separated from the mountainous inland area by the Pontic Alps , which run parallel to the coast. The river valleys of Pontus also ran parallel to the coast and were quite fertile, supporting cattle herds, millet , and fruit trees, including cherry , apple , and pear . ( Cherry and Cerasus are probably cognates .) The coastal region

4500-411: The 9th century (and possibly much earlier), Euchaita housed the relics of the saint and became an important place of pilgrimage, to the point it was also known as Theodoropolis. In a tradition recorded in the 10th or 11th century, a woman from Euchaita named Eusebia had transferred the saint's relics according to his wishes. The same tradition also associates Theodore with the dragon slayer motif. In

4625-472: The 9th century, he was depicted as a soldier in military dress. A tradition origating in Cappadocia from the 9th or 10th century depicted him as dragon-slayer alongside Saints Demetrius and George. He was adopted as a military saint by the crusaders . In Western Europe, Theodore was the patron saint of Venice during its period under Byzantine hegemony and the doge 's chapel was dedicated to him until

4750-662: The 9th century, when Venice largely replaced him with St Mark as a sign of its growing independence. His cult spread during the Crusades . His body was said to have been transferred to Brindisi in the 12th century, after which he was honored as that city's patron. Gaeta claimed to have taken his head. Chartres Cathedral in France has a 13th-century stained glass window with 38 panels depicting Theodore's life, but his cult did not become common beyond Italy. San Teodoro in Rome

4875-491: The Aegean, he was honored at Delos, and he depicted himself as Apollo on his coins. Mithridates was assassinated at Sinope in 121/0, the details of which are unclear. Because both the sons of Mithridates V, Mithridates   VI and Mithridates Chrestus , were still children, Pontus now came under the regency of his wife Laodice. She favored Chrestus, and Mithridates   VI escaped the Pontic court. Legend would later say this

5000-499: The Great of Armenia, to invade Cappadocia, which he did, and Ariobarzanes fled to Rome. Mithridates then deposed Nicomedes   IV from Bithynia, placing Socrates Chrestus on the throne. A Roman army under Manius Aquillius arrived in Asia Minor in 90   BC, prompting Mithridates and Tigranes to withdraw. Cappadocia and Bithynia were restored to their respective monarchs, but then faced large debts to Rome due to their bribes for

5125-601: The Great, who conquered Colchis , Cappadocia , Bithynia , the Greek colonies of the Tauric Chersonesos , and for a brief time the Roman province of Asia . After a long struggle with Rome in the Mithridatic Wars , Pontus was defeated. The kingdom had three cultural strands, which often fused together: Greek (mostly on the coast), Persian, and Anatolian, with Greek becoming the official language in

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5250-716: The Mediterranean in 67   BC. Pompey eliminated the pirates, and in 66 he was assigned command in Asia Minor to deal with Pontus. Pompey organized his forces, close to 45,000 legionaries, including Lucullus' troops, and signed an alliance with the Parthians , who attacked and kept Tigranes busy in the east. Mithridates massed his army, some 30,000 men and 2,000–3,000 cavalry, in the heights of Dasteira in lesser Armenia. Pompey fought to encircle him with earthworks for six weeks, but Mithridates eventually retreated north. Pompey pursued and managed to catch his forces by surprise in

5375-609: The Recruit , Theodore the Tyro, or Theodore the Soldier ( Latin : Theodorus Tyro or Tiro ; ‹See Tfd› Greek : Θεόδωρος Τήρων or ὁ Τήρων , Theódōros Tḗrōn or ho Tḗrōn ). The same name is variously anglicized as Theodore Tiron , Tiro , Tyron , Tyro , and Teron . ( Nilles argued that this epithet was a later mistake and that, rather than being a recruit, Theodore's name had originally referenced his service in

5500-442: The Roman senators, and Nicomedes   IV was eventually convinced by Aquillius to attack Pontus in order to repay the debts. He plundered as far as Amastris , and returned with much loot. Mithridates invaded Cappadocia once again, and Rome declared war. In the summer of 89 BC, Mithridates invaded Bithynia and defeated Nicomedes and Aquillius in battle. He moved swiftly into Roman Asia and resistance crumbled; by 88 he had obtained

5625-405: The Roman supply line to Cappadocia in the south, but they suffered heavy casualties. Mithridates, still unwilling to fight a decisive engagement, now began a retreat to Lesser Armenia , where he expected aid from his ally Tigranes the Great. Because of his now weakened cavalry, the retreat turned into an all-out rout, and most of the Pontic army was destroyed or captured. These events led Machares ,

5750-626: The Romans off Chalcedon and laid siege to Cyzicus . Lucullus marched from Phrygia with his five legions and forced Mithridates to retreat to Pontus. In 72   BC Lucullus invaded Pontus through Galatia and marched north following the river Halys to the north coast, he besieged Amisus , which withstood until 70   BC. In 71 he marched through the Iris and Lycus river valleys and established his base in Cabeira . Mithridates sent his cavalry to cut

5875-465: The Seleucid Empire. The sources are silent on Pontus for the years following the death of Mithridates   II, when his son Mithridates   III ruled (c.   220–198/88). Pharnaces I of Pontus was much more successful in his expansion of the kingdom at the expense of the Greek coastal cities. He joined in a war with Prusias I of Bithynia against Eumenes of Pergamon in 188 BC, but

6000-644: The Turkish War of Independence in motion. The circular, distributed across Anatolia, declared Turkey's independence and integrity to be in danger and called for a national conference to be held in Sivas ( Sivas Congress ) and before that, for a preparatory congress comprising representatives from the eastern provinces of Anatolia to be held in Erzurum in July ( Erzurum Congress ). During the years of World War I and

6125-747: The Yeşilırmak and the other main historical buildings have been restored; these traditional Yalıboyu houses are now used as cafes, restaurants, pubs and hotels. Behind the Ottoman wooden houses one can see the rock tombs of the Pontic kings. According to Strabo the Greek name Ἀμάσεια comes from Amasis, the queen of the Amazons , who were said to have lived here. The name has changed little throughout history: Ἀμάσεια, Amaseia , Amassia and Amasia are all found on ancient Greek and Roman coinage and continue to be used in modern Greek. Armenian Ամասիա, Ottoman Turkish اماسیه, and modern Turkish Amasya all represent

6250-492: The army of Pontus adopted the Macedonian phalanx ; it fielded a corps of Chalkaspides ('bronze-shields'), for example against Sulla at the Battle of Chaeronea , while at the same battle 15,000 phalangites were recruited from freed slaves . Pontus also fielded various cavalry units, including cataphracts . In addition to normal cavalry Pontus also fielded scythed chariots . Under Mithridates VI Pontus also fielded

6375-465: The autumn of 88 Mithridates also placed Rhodes under siege, but he failed to take it. In Athens , anti-Roman elements were emboldened by the news and soon formed an alliance with Mithridates. A joint Pontic–Athenian naval expedition took Delos in 88   BC, and granted the city to Athens. Many Greek city-states now joined Mithridates, including Sparta , the Achaean League , and most of

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6500-456: The capture of Ursel, however Alexios had no cash to give and the Emperor was unable to fund it, so he attempted to raise money from the people of Amaseia, however this caused serious unrest. However, after a speech by Alexios, he arranged a mock-blinding of Ursel which promptly caused the people to contribute funds. However, this is likely to be biased. Saints Theodore of Amasea (died by 319),

6625-471: The citadel shelter 2000-year-old water-channels, 1000-year-old bridges, a mental hospital, a palace and a secret underground passageway. On the rock faces there are rock tombs which contribute to the attractiveness of the city, especially at night, when they are illuminated. The city also has many historically and architecturally precious buildings; the Ferhat water channel, the 13th century Seljuk Burmali Mosque,

6750-671: The city enjoyed a special status under the Ottomans. A number of Ottoman princes were sent to the province of Amasya (the Rûm Eyalet ) as governors in their youth, from Mehmed II in the late 14th century to Bayezid II in the 15th century, through to Murat III in the 16th century. Suleiman the Magnificent often stayed in the city, and even received the Habsburg ambassador Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq there. Already distinguished

6875-585: The city passed under the control of the Mongol Ilkhanate , and was ruled by Mongol governors, except for a brief rule by Taj ad-Din Altintash , son of the last Seljuk sultan, Mesud II . Under the Seljuks and the Ilkhan, the city became a centre of Islamic culture and produced some notable individuals such as Yaqut al-Musta'simi (1221–1298) calligrapher and secretary of the last Abbasid caliph who

7000-480: The city positively because tourism triggers to other sectors but still the city of Amasya is not where it wants. Having served for many civilizations as the capital city, and for the future sultans of the Ottomans as an academy, Amasya, also known as the City of the Şehzade , has developed a regal cuisine with characteristic taste, looks and quality. An example of the local food is keşkek , which has always been one of

7125-533: The city was settled by Greeks, eventually becoming the capital of the Kingdom of Pontus from 333 BC to 26 BC. Today, there are prominent ruins including the royal tombs of Pontus in the rocks above the riverbank in the centre of the city. Ancient district in northeastern Anatolia adjoining the Black Sea. Amaseia was captured by a force led by the Roman Lucullus in 70 BC from Armenia and

7250-419: The city's economy comes from agriculture and agricultural products likewise, greenstuffes and fruit production are also important incomes for the Amasya's economy. Villages have economically concentrated relations with districts of Amasya. In recent years, electrical machine production and household tools (ankastre, kitchen tools, exhauster, paddle box), agriculture and woodcraft machines, textile and food industry

7375-457: The client Kingdom of Pontus, Colchis, and Cilicia until Polemon   II was forced to abdicate the Pontic throne by Nero in AD 62. Although the Pontic kings claimed descent from the Persian royal house, they generally acted as Hellenistic kings and portrayed themselves as such in their coins, mimicking Alexander's royal stater . The army of the Pontic Kingdom had a varied ethnic composition, as it recruited its soldiers from all over

7500-430: The cliffs overhead, Amasya is attractive to visitors. In recent years, there has been much investment in tourism, and therefore more foreign and Turkish tourists have visited the city. During the early Ottoman rule, it was customary for young Ottoman princes to be sent to Amasya to govern and gain experience. Amasya was also the birthplace of the Ottoman sultans Murad I and Selim I . Traditional Ottoman houses near

7625-711: The consul Lucullus took over Cilicia , Mithridates faced Roman commanders on two fronts. The Cilician pirates had not been completely defeated, and Mithridates signed an alliance with them. He was also allied with the government of Quintus Sertorius in Spain and with his help reorganized some of his troops in the Roman legionary pattern with short stabbing swords. The Third Mithridatic war broke out when Nicomedes   IV of Bithynia died without heirs in 75 and left his kingdom to Rome. In 74   BC Rome mobilized its armies in Asia Minor, probably provoked by some move made by Mithridates, but our sources are not clear on this. In 73 Mithridates invaded Bithynia, and his fleet defeated

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7750-496: The death of Attalus III . After Rome received the Kingdom of Pergamon in the will of Attalus   III in the absence of an heir, they turned part of it into the province of Asia, while giving the rest to loyal allied kings. For his loyalty Mithridates was awarded the region of Phrygia Major. The kingdom of Cappadocia received Lycaonia . Because of this it seems reasonable to assume that Pontus had some degree of control over Galatia , since Phrygia does not border Pontus directly. It

7875-429: The divinity of Jesus Christ . Rather than immediately execute him, the judges—taking pity on his youth— delayed their sentence to allow him to change his mind. Theodore then burned the city's temple of Magna Mater ( Cybele ), whereupon he was again arrested , tortured , and martyred by immolation . The year of his martyrdom is cited as 287 in the legenda aurea , but later tradition including Butler has

8000-408: The early 10th century (the oldest certain depiction of Theodore killing a dragon is at Aghtamar , dated c.  920 ). Theodore is reported as having destroyed a dragon near Euchaita in a legend not younger than the late 9th century. The earliest image of St Theodore as a horseman (named in Latin) is from Vinica, North Macedonia and, if genuine, dates to the 6th or 7th century. Here, Theodore

8125-434: The early 11th century. The oldest certain images of St. George combatting the serpent date are still found in Cappadocia , in particular the image in the church of Saint Barbara, Soganh (dated 1006 or 1021). The emergence of Theodore Stratelates as a separate saint is attested from the late 9th century. The two Theodores were frequently depicted alongside one another in the later Byzantine period. Theodore Stratelates had

8250-494: The east with six horsemen. Mithridates first went to the city of Cimiata in Paphlagonia and later to Amasya in Cappadocia. He ruled from 302 to 266   BC, fought against Seleucus I and, in 281 (or 280) BC, declared himself king ( basileus ) of a state in northern Cappadocia and eastern Paphlagonia. He further expanded his kingdom to the river Sangrius in the west. His son Ariobarzanes captured Amastris in 279, its first important Black sea port. Mithridates also allied with

8375-423: The faithful in commemoration of the following miracle worked by St. Theodore on the First Saturday of Great Lent: Fifty years after the death of St Theodore, the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) commanded the governor of Constantinople during the first week of Great Lent to sprinkle all the food provisions in the marketplace with the blood offered to pagan idols, knowing that the people would be hungry after

8500-442: The first book of the Alexiad . Amaseia was the town where Emperor Alexios I Komnenos received the Norman general Ursel as a captive from the Turkic general Tutach. Ursel had, according to the book, looted and pillaged the Eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire until the at-the-time General Alexios convinced Tutach to capture him. Alexios agreed that he would pay "...such a sum of money as no one ever gained before." to Tutach for

8625-418: The historical region of Pontus in modern-day Turkey , and ruled by the Mithridatic dynasty of Persian origin, which may have been directly related to Darius the Great of the Achaemenid dynasty . The kingdom was proclaimed by Mithridates I in 281   BC and lasted until its conquest by the Roman Republic in 63   BC. The Kingdom of Pontus reached its largest extent under Mithridates VI

8750-433: The interior regions of the country. The Amasya-Merzifon airport opened up in 2008. In related with that, cultural tourism achieved considerable place. Amasya is the starting point of the Black Sea tours within the country. Cappadocia tours also cover the city of Amasya. Cultural and Tourism Ministry determined 15 cities which is the trademark cities around the country includes Amasya. These developments also influence economy of

8875-450: The kingdom. The standing army included Armenians , Bastarnae , Bithynians , Cappadocians , Galatians , Heniochoi , Iazyges , Koralloi , Leucosyrians , Phrygians , Sarmatians , Scythians , Tauri , and Thracians , as well as soldiers from other areas around the Black Sea. The Greeks who served in the military were not part of the standing army, but rather fought as citizens of their respective cities. Like many Hellenistic armies ,

9000-645: The late 11th century, the Amasea province was gradually overwhelmed by the Turkish invasion and Euchaita became depopulated. St Theodore became especially important in the Eastern Orthodox Church , where his cult spread widely. Gregory of Nyssa said nothing about St Theodore's life beyond the basic legend as given above, but he told how he could influence the lives of his hearers and specifically mentioned that he could intervene in battles. This became

9125-672: The latter more so with the coastal region. By the time of Mithridates   VI Eupator, Greek was the official language of the Kingdom, though Anatolian languages continued to be spoken in the interior. The region of Pontus was originally part of the Persian satrapy of Cappadocia (Katpatuka). The Persian dynasty which was to found this kingdom had, during the 4th century BC, ruled the Greek city of Cius (or Kios) in Mysia , with its first known member being Mithridates of Cius. His son Ariobarzanes   II became satrap of Phrygia . He became

9250-656: The modern village of Kolchida, dated to the 9th or 10th century. A 12th-century depiction of Theodore as equestrian dragon-slayer is found in four muqarna panels in the nave of the Cappella Palatina in Palermo . The dragon motif was transferred to the George legend from that of his fellow soldier saint , Saint Theodore Tiro. The transfer of the dragon iconography from Theodore, or Theodore and George as "Dioskuroi" to George on his own, first becomes tangible in

9375-597: The monastery of Kuprianou at Constantinople and at Pergamon . The veneration of St Theodore is attested by the late 4th century, when Gregory of Nyssa preached an encomium or homily in his honor at his sanctuary in the winter of 381. It is uncertain if this sanctuary was located at Amasea or Euchaita , but a church at Euchaita related to pilgrimage in Theodore's honor is known to have existed from at least c.  400 . His cult spread rapidly and he became highly popular. The patriarch Nectarius preached

9500-430: The most popular dishes of the region. Bakla dolması ( dolma with a filling of meat and broad beans ) is another characteristic local specialty. Cream cakes were another indispensable item in the former palace menu. Local varieties of bread include cherry bread, and slices of stale bread are used to make a dessert called Unutma Beni (which means "Forget me not"). On the eve of the first World war, Amasya's population

9625-479: The newly arrived Galatians and defeated a force sent against him by Ptolemy I . Ptolemy had been expanding his territory in Asia Minor since the beginning of the First Syrian war against Antiochus in the mid-270s and was allied with Mithridates' enemy, Heraclea Pontica . We know little of Ariobarzanes' short reign, except that when he died his son Mithridates   II (c.   250—189) became king and

9750-429: The night, and the Pontic army suffered heavy casualties. After the battle, Pompey founded the city of Nicopolis. Mithridates fled to Colchis, and later to his son Machares in the Crimea in 65   BC. Pompey now headed east into Armenia, where Tigranes submitted to him, placing his royal diadem at his feet. Pompey took most of Tigranes' empire in the east but allowed him to remain as king of Armenia. Meanwhile, Mithridates

9875-461: The patron of the city before the two saints were distinguished. In fact the Venetians never appear to have made any distinction between the different St Theodores. None of the mosaics in Venice's St Mark's Basilica show him in military dress. There were 15 churches in Constantinople dedicated to St Theodore, who was a Greek saint, specially venerated by the Eastern church. Venice had originally been

10000-400: The port city. Meanwhile, Mithridates had sent his son Arcathias with a large army via Thrace into Greece. Sulla now headed north, seeking the fertile plains of Boeotia to supply his army. At the Battle of Chaeronea , Sulla inflicted severe casualties on Archelaus, who nevertheless retreated and continued to raid Greece with the Pontic fleet. Archelaus regrouped and attacked a second time at

10125-409: The province of Asia in Anatolia, and it had also rescinded the region of Phrygia Major from Pontus during the reign of Laodice. Mithridates began his expansion by inheriting Lesser Armenia from King Antipater (precise date unknown, c.115–106) and by conquering the Kingdom of Colchis . Colchis was an important region in Black Sea trade – rich with gold, wax, hemp, and honey. The cities of

10250-570: The rebuilding. There is today a small chapel dedicated to St Theodore, behind St Mark's church, but this was not built until 1486. (It was later occupied by the Inquisition in Venice). The two Byzantine columns in the Piazzetta in Venice were set up soon after 1172. The eastern column bears a strange animal representing the winged lion of St Mark. A statue representing St Theodore was placed on

10375-454: The region by sending troops; Mithridates swiftly invaded, placing his nephew Ariarathes VII of Cappadocia on the throne of Cappadocia. War soon broke out between the two, and Mithridates invaded with a large Pontic army, but Ariarathes   VII was murdered in 101   BC before any battle was fought. Mithridates then installed his eight-year-old son, Ariarathes IX of Cappadocia as king, with Gordius as regent. In 97 Cappadocia rebelled, but

10500-487: The rest of his holdings and become an ally of Rome. The treaty agreed with Sulla was not to last. From 83 to 82   BC Mithridates fought against and defeated Licinius Murena , who had been left by Sulla to organize the province of Asia. The so-called Second Mithridatic war ended without any territorial gains by either side. The Romans now began securing the coastal region of Lycia and Pamphylia from pirates and established control over Pisidia and Lycaonia . When in 74

10625-443: The river Lycus and Iris. The major city of the interior was Amasia , the early Pontic capital, where the Pontic kings had their palace and royal tombs. Besides Amasia and a few other cities, the interior was dominated mainly by small villages. The kingdom of Pontus was divided into districts named Eparchies. The division between coast and interior was also cultural. The coast was mainly Greek and focused on sea trade. The interior

10750-431: The river, and most of the town lies on the southern bank, spread along the river. The climb up to the higher ground is very steep, making the valley walls virtually uninhabitable. The town is shaped like the letter 'v' as it follows a sharp bend in the river. Amasya consists of 37 quarters: Source: Kingdom of Pontus Pontus ( ‹See Tfd› Greek : Πόντος Pontos ) was a Hellenistic kingdom centered in

10875-407: The river, which has a particular mystique on a winter evening when fog fills the valley. Tourists (and soldiers from the local base) contribute valuable income to the shopkeepers. The railway line from Sivas to Samsun runs through Amasya, and there is an attractive Ottoman-era railway station. The city of Amasya has some nightlife, mainly bars and cafes for visitors, and some basic restaurants. It

11000-521: The royal house being identified with the Persian god Ahuramazda of the Achaemenid dynasty; both Apollo and Mithras were worshipped by the Kings. Indeed, the name used by the majority of the Pontic kings was Mithridates, which means "given by Mithras". Pontic culture represented a synthesis between Iranian, Anatolian and Greek elements, with the former two mostly associated with the interior parts, and

11125-606: The same pronunciation. Archaeological research shows that Amasya was first settled by the Hittites and subsequently by Phrygians , Cimmerians , Lydians , Greeks , Persians , and Armenians . An independent Pontic kingdom with its capital at Amaseia was established by the Persian Mithridatic dynasty at the end of the 4th century BC, in the wake of Alexander 's conquests. In the 1st century BC, it briefly contested Rome's hegemony in Anatolia. By 183 BC,

11250-451: The service, the kolyva is distributed to all who are present and, after Holy Communion and the antidoron , is the first food eaten after the strict fasting of the first week. St Theodore was the patron saint of Venice before the relics of Saint Mark were (according to tradition) brought to the city in 828. The original chapel of the Doge was dedicated to St Theodore, though, after

11375-636: The son of Mithridates and ruler of the Crimean Bosporus, to seek an alliance with Rome. Mithridates fled to Armenia. In the summer of 69 Lucullus invaded Armenian territory, marching with 12,000 men through Cappadocia into Sophene . His target was Tigranocerta , the new capital of Tigranes's empire. Tigranes retreated to gather his forces. Lucullus laid siege to the city, and Tigranes returned with his army, including large numbers of heavily armored cavalrymen, termed Cataphracts , vastly outnumbering Lucullus' force. Despite this, Lucullus led his men in

11500-545: The strict fasting of the first week. Thus he would force the Christians to unknowingly eat food "polluted" (from the Christian perspective) with the blood of idolatry . St Theodore appeared in a dream to the Archbishop of Constantinople, Eudoxius , ordering him to inform all the Christians that no one should buy anything at the market, but rather to boil the wheat they had at home and eat it sweetened with honey. After

11625-722: The suffragans of Amisus , Andrapa , Euchaitae , Ibora , Sinope , Zaliche and Zela . In the 10th century the metropolis ranked 11th among the metropolises of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople . From the 12th century the Christian element was reduced due to the Turkic migrations into Anatolia. The Orthodox metropolis of Amasea was active until the Population exchange between Greece and Turkey (1923) and in 1922 counted c. 40,000 Christians, 20,000 of them being Greek speakers. Last active metropolitan bishop

11750-409: The surrender of most of the newly created province. He was welcomed in many cities, where the residents chafed under Roman tax farming . In 88 Mithridates also ordered the massacre of at least 80,000 Romans and Italians in what became known as the ' Asiatic Vespers '. Many Greek cities in Asia Minor happily carried out the orders; this ensured that they could no longer return to an alliance with Rome. In

11875-432: The translation of the relics of St Mark, it was superseded by the church of St Mark. There is some doubt whether this first patron of Venice was Theodore of Amasea or Theodore of Heraclea, although Demus opted emphatically for the latter in 1960 and was followed in this by Fenlon. However, Demus later noted that none of the 12th-century mosaics which show St Theodore mentions more than his name and that he may have become

12000-563: The two made peace in 183 after Bithynia suffered a series of reversals. He took Sinope in 182   BC and although the Rhodians complained to Rome about this, nothing was done. Pharnaces also took the coastal cities of Cotyora , Pharnacia , and Trapezus in the east, effectively gaining control of most of the northern Anatolian coastline. Despite Roman attempts to keep the peace, Pharnaces fought against Eumenes of Pergamon and Ariarathes of Cappadocia. While initially successful, it seems he

12125-613: The uprising was swiftly put down by Mithridates. Afterwards, Mithridates and Nicomedes   III both sent embassies to Rome. The Roman Senate decreed that Mithridates had to withdraw from Cappadocia and Nicomedes from Paphlagonia. Mithridates obliged, and the Romans installed Ariobarzanes in Cappadocia. In 91/90   BC, while Rome was busy in the Social War in Italy, Mithridates encouraged his new ally and son-in-law, King Tigranes

12250-573: The various tribes of the kingdom, or were of Greek origin. Theodore of Amasea Saint Theodore (Άγιος Θεοδώρος), distinguished as Theodore of Amasea , Theodore the Recruit (Θεοδώρος ό Τήρων), and by other names , is a Christian saint and Great Martyr , particularly revered in the Eastern Orthodox Churches but also honored in Roman Catholicism and Oriental Orthodoxy . According to legend , he

12375-408: The western column in 1372, but this was not the statue now to be seen there, which is a composite of several fragments, some antique, including a crocodile to represent a dragon, and was placed there in the second half of the 15th century. The statue on the pillar is now a copy of the original, which is kept elsewhere for its preservation. Reputed relics of St Theodore were taken from Mesembria by

12500-595: The year 112, the emperor Trajan designated it a part of the province of Cappadocia . Later in the 2nd century it gained the titles ' metropolis ' and 'first city'. After the division of the Roman Empire by emperor Diocletian the city became part of the East Roman Empire (the Byzantine Empire ). At this time it had a predominantly Greek-speaking population. Amaseia was also referenced in

12625-413: The year 306. His relics were later carried to Euchaita , possibly his birthplace, by the Christian empress Eusebia sometime before her death in 360. Iconography of a horseman with a spear overcoming evil as personified as a dragon was widespread throughout the Christian period. Iconographic representations of St Theodore as dragon-slayer are dated to as early as the 7th century, certainly by

12750-476: Was Germanos Karavangelis . No longer being a residential diocese, Amasea is today listed by both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church as a titular see . Rome suppressed the see formally c.  1600 , but immediately transformed it into a titular archbishopric Amasea, of the highest (Metropolitan) rank, which has had the following archiepiscopal incumbents: On 1742.02.15 it

12875-539: Was still illegal and Galerius , prior to his 311 Edict of Toleration at Serdica , enforced his co-emperor Diocletian 's Great Persecution . When the soldiers of Theodore's cohort were obliged to perform pagan sacrifice at Amasea in Galatian Pontus (modern Amasya , Turkey , about 30 miles or 48 kilometres south of the Black Coast at Sinop ), he refused and recounted a confession of faith in

13000-583: Was 30,000 people, including 13,788 Armenians. There were 4 Armenian churches. Armenians were deported during the Armenian genocide . After the deportation, the Armenian quarter, the bazaar, the Armenian church and the Greek church were burnt by the Turks. In 1922, the Orthodox metropolis of Amaseia counted 40,000 Greek Orthodox Christians, half of them being Greek speakers. All Greeks were forcibly removed during

13125-572: Was a Greek native of Amasya. Schools, mosques, tombs and other architecture of this period still remain. In 1341, the emir Habiloghlu occupied the city, before it came under the rule of the Eretnid emirate. Hadji Shadgeldi Pasha took Amasya from the Eretnids under Ali Bey, and successfully fended off the claims of Kadi Burhan al-Din , who had supplanted the Eretnids. Shadgeldi was succeeded by his son Ahmed, who managed to retain his autonomy for

13250-590: Was a legionary in the Roman army who suffered martyrdom by immolation at Amasea in Galatian Pontus (modern Amasya , Turkey ) during the Great Persecution under Diocletian in the early 4th century. Venerated by the late 4th century, he became a prominent warrior saint during the Middle Ages , attracted a great deal of additional legends including accounts of battle against dragons , and

13375-421: Was also made into a client kingdom. Pharnaces   II later made an attempt at reconquering Pontus. During the civil war of Caesar and Pompey, he invaded Asia Minor (48   BC), taking Colchis, lesser Armenia, Pontus, and Cappadocia and defeating a Roman army at Nicopolis. Caesar responded swiftly and defeated him at Zela , where he uttered the famous phrase ' Veni, vidi, vici '. Pontic kings continued to rule

13500-615: Was attacked by the Galatians. Mithridates   II received aid from Heraclea Pontica , who was also at war with the Galatians at this time. Mithridates went on to support Antiochus Hierax against his brother Seleucus   II Callinicus. Seleucus was defeated in Anatolia by Hierax, Mithridates, and the Galatians. Mithridates also attacked Sinope in 220 but failed to take the city. He married Seleucus   II's sister and gave his daughter in marriage to Antiochus   III, to obtain recognition for his new kingdom and create strong ties with

13625-708: Was conquered by the Turkmen Danishmend emirs. It served as their capital until the annexation of the Danishmendid dominions by the Seljuk ruler Kilij Arslan II . When he died, his realm was divided among his sons, and Amasya passed to Nizam ad-Din Arghun Shah . His rule was brief, as he lost it to his brother Rukn ad-Din Suleiman Shah , who subsequently became Sultan. During the 13th century

13750-747: Was developed in the Merzifon district of Amasya. Agricultural products of the city mostly consist of products like apple, cherry, okra, onion, poppy seeds, lentil, bean and peach. In additionally, agro-based industries have an important place for the local economy. Sucrose, dairy products, egg, sunflower oil, provender, flour, yeast are major agro-based industries in Amasya; the industrial products are relatively limited. The most major industries are lime, brick, marble, ankanstre kitchen tools, furniture, lignite coal, metal and plastic industrial products. These products trades domestically and are exported. Marble exporting

13875-580: Was discovered to still be alive, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent ordered that all accusations regarding religious rituals should be judged under "royal" and not local court. In 1555, Amasya was also the location for the signing of the Peace of Amasya with the Safavid dynasty of Persia. The population of Amasya at this time was very different from that of most other cities in the Ottoman Empire, as it

14000-499: Was dominated by Greek cities such as Amastris and Sinope, which became the Pontic capital after its capture. The coast was rich in timber, fishing, and olives. Pontus was also rich in iron and silver , which were mined near the coast south of Pharnacia ; steel from the Chalybian mountains became quite famous in Greece. There were also copper , lead , zinc and arsenic . The Pontic interior also had fertile river valleys such as

14125-497: Was in fact only one St Theodore. Delehaye wrote in 1909 that the existence of the second Theodore had not been historically established, and Walter in 2003 wrote that "the Stratelates is surely a fiction". Blackburn et al. treat the second figure as a promotion in rank of the former. There were several churches dedicated to both saints, Theodore Tiron and Theodore Stratelates. For instance at Dobarsko and at Serres , at

14250-577: Was made a collegiate church by Pope Felix IV and was made available to the Orthodox by Pope John Paul II in 2000, with services beginning in 2004. In mosaics and icons, he is most often shown in military dress from the 6th century, but sometimes in civilian or court dress. When on horseback, he is always in military dress, possibly spearing a dragon, and often accompanied by St George. Both he and St Theodore Stratelates are shown with thick black hair and pointed beards, usually one point for Theodore Tiron and two points for Stratelates. His encounter with

14375-630: Was occupied by the Anatolian Cappadocians and Paphlagonians ruled by an Iranian aristocracy that went back to the Persian empire. The interior also had powerful temples with large estates. The gods of the Kingdom were mostly syncretic, with features of local gods along with Persian and Greek deities. Major gods included the Persian Ahuramazda , who was termed Zeus Stratios; the moon god Men Pharnacou; and Ma (interpreted as Cybele). Sun gods were particularly popular, with

14500-552: Was often confused with (or was the original source of) the similar Theodore Stratelates of Heraclea . Theodore is the English form of the Latin masculine given name Theodorus from Ancient Greek Theódōros ( Θεόδωρος ) from Theós ( Θεός , " God ") + dō̂ron ( δῶρον , "gift"). In Rome, he was also known to locals as St Toto. He was eventually distinguished from other saints named Theodore as Theodore

14625-513: Was organizing a defense of the Crimea when his son Pharnaces led the army in revolt; Mithridates was forced to commit suicide or was assassinated. Most of the western half of Pontus and the Greek cities of the coast, including Sinope, were annexed by Rome directly as part of the Roman province of Bithynia et Pontus . The interior and eastern coast remained an independent client kingdom. The Bosporan Kingdom also remained independent under Pharnaces II of Pontus as an ally and friend of Rome. Colchis

14750-598: Was overmatched by 179 when he was forced to sign a treaty. He had to give up all lands he had obtained in Galatia , and Paphlagonia and the city of Tium, but he kept Sinope. Seeking to extend his influence to the north, Pharnaces allied with the cities in the Chersonesus and with other Black Sea cities such as Odessus on the Bulgarian coast. Pharnaces' brother, Mithridates   IV Philopator Philadelphus adopted

14875-505: Was part of their training for the future sultans to learn about every nation of the Empire. Every millet of the Empire was represented in Amasya in a particular village—such as a Greek village, an Armenian village, a Bosnian village, a Tatar village, a Turkish village etc. (see: 1927 Population count data by DİE) In the late 19th century, the city had 25,000–30,000 inhabitants, mostly Turks, but also some Armenians and Greeks. In 1919 Amasya

15000-425: Was quickly made a free city and administrative center of his new province of Bithynia and Pontus by Pompey . By this time, Amaseia was a thriving city, the home of thinkers, writers and poets, and one of them, Strabo , left a full description of Amaseia as it was between 60 BC and 19 AD. Around 2 or 3 BC, it was incorporated into the Roman province of Galatia , in the district of Pontus Galaticus. Around

15125-480: Was sent, but it accomplished nothing. Mithridates also took a part of Galatia that had previously been part of his father's kingdom and intervened in Cappadocia, where his sister Laodice was queen. In 116 the king of Cappadocia, Ariarathes   VI, was murdered by the Cappadocian noble Gordius at the behest of Mithridates, and Laodice ruled as regent over the sons of Ariarathes until 102   BC. After Nicomedes III of Bithynia married Laodice, he tried to intervene in

15250-633: Was the Amasya trials which were special ad hoc trials, organized by the Turkish National Movement , with the purpose to kill the Greek representatives of Pontus region under a legal pretext. Amasea became the seat of a Christian metropolitan bishop in the Eastern Roman Empire , in particular from the 3rd century AD. As capital of the Late Roman province of Helenopontus , it also became its Metropolitan Archbishopric and included

15375-594: Was the location of the final planning meetings held by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk for the building of a Turkish army to establish the Turkish republic following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the First World War. It was here that Mustafa Kemal made the announcement of the Turkish War of Independence in the Amasya Circular . This circular is considered as the first written document putting

15500-498: Was the time he traveled through Asia Minor, building his resistance to poisons and learning all of the languages of his subjects. He returned in 113   BC to depose his mother; she was thrown into prison, and he eventually had his brother killed. Mithridates VI Eupator, 'the Good Father', followed a decisive anti-Roman agenda, extolling Greek and Iranian culture against ever-expanding Roman influence. Rome had recently created

15625-481: Was united (as a mere title) with the residential Diocese of Pavia (Italy). Since 1819.11.19 it is again suppressed as such and restored nominally as Metropolitan Titular archbishopric (highest rank, again). It is vacant for decades, having had the following archiepiscopal incumbents since: In its Turkish version, this classic tale of oriental folklore is held to have taken place in Amasya. The nearby mountain Ferhat

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