ASIANOVERLAND.NET SYDNEY TO LONDON  DAY 304/143/55: GOREME, URGUP, TURKIYE

In 371, the western part of the Cappadocia province was called Cappadocia Prima, with its capital at Caesarea (Kayseri). By 386, the region to the east of Caesarea had become part of Armenia. Cappadocia included major estates owned by the Roman emperors and wealthy local families. Cappadocia retained a significant Iranian character well into the Roman era:

 "Many inhabitants of Cappadocia were of Persian descent and Iranian fire worship is attested as late as 465".

(Stephen Mitchell in the Oxford Dictionary of Late Antiquity)

The Cappadocian Fathers of the 4th century were important in early Christian philosophy. Cappadocia produced Patriarch of Constantinople, John of Cappadocia (AD 517–520) and others.

For most of the Byzantine era Cappadocia remained relatively free of the conflicts with the Sassanid Iranian Empire. From the 7th century, Cappadocia was divided between the Anatolic and Armeniac influences.

The underground shelters around Nevşehir and Göreme were originally built to escape persecution by the pagan Roman authorities. Many of the churches in the rocks date from the early years of Christianity.

Even after Theodosius I made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire, the caves offered protection for the local people against the Sassanid Persians (AD 604) and the Islamic Caliphate from AD 647 onwards.

Cappadocia has had an always-changing relationship with neighbouring Armenia.  As a result of the Byzantine military campaigns and the Seljuk invasion of Armenia, the Armenians spread into Cappadocia and eastward into the mountainous areas of northern Syria and Mesopotamia.

This Armenian immigration increased further after the decline of the local powers and the establishment of the Crusader States following the Fourth Crusade.

Our overland trip books record July 1980 and 

“11 November, 1980

KAYMAKLI – UNDERGROUND CITY “THE DISCO” (pictured)

An energetic day up & down, in & out …..................... of caves.

Some extremely interesting sites (phallic definitely).

The generosity of the Turks was overwhelming as we sat at the URGUP (DINERS CLUB) Restaurant. Cappadocia wine by the dozen & potato salad with love.

Commenced 1200

Finished 22.30 hrs

Jackie in fine form moving to the Turkish movements - if only my fly had stayed up.””

Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November in many countries to recall the end of hostilities in First World War in Europe in 1918. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month". However, there was no respite for Turkey, as the British, French and Italians continued their hostilities to carve up the Ottoman Empire in accordance with the Sykes-Picot plan.

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