| The History of Gaziantep |
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 The History of Gaziantep  Considered one of the oldest cities in the world, Gaziantep is surrounded by striking works and settlements dating from pre-historic times. Settlements such as Doliche (Dülük), Carchemish (Karkamış), Sakçagözü, Yesemek, Zeugma (Belkıs) and Zincirli provide evidence of the political and social history of the area at different periods. Gaziantep bears traces of many different historical periods.  While remains of settlements from the Paleolithic, Chalcolitic and Neolithic periods and from the Bronze Age are found in the region, the majority of artifacts date from the Hittite, Roman and Ottoman periods. Other periods that have left their mark on the city are the Median, Assyrian, Persian, Alexandrian, Seleucid, Byzantine and Islamic-Arabic. Signs of each period can be clearly seen today. The region became very prominent during the Hittite period. The most important Roman remains are at the ancient towns of Zeugma and Doliche (Dülük). Many mosques, "madrasas" (religious schools), inns and "hamams" were built in Ottoman times. Prehistoric Ages and the Late Hittite Period Approximately 120 archaeological sites dating from prehistoric times have been identified in the region. Many valuable prehistoric artifacts have been found during excavations at settlements such as Tilmenhöyük ("höyük": "mound/tumulus") Sakçagözü-Coba Höyük, Gedikli-Karahöyük, Tilbaşar Höyüğü and Dülük. Yesemek, Zincirli Höyük and Carchemish are the sites of important finds from the Late Hittite period. At Tilmenhöyük there is evidence of habitation from the Chalcolitic Age to the Iron Age. The Tilmen Mound is also the site of the settlement of the first kingdom to gain control of the region, the Hulpa Kingdom. Artifacts dating from as early as 7,000 years ago have been uncovered at the Tilbaşar Mound. The Coba Mound near Sakçagözü has yielded important information about agriculture aroung 6,000 B.C. The Gaziantep region was very important in the time of the Hittite Empire. Being at the centre of the north Syrian road network between the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, the region served as a linking point for the Assyrians, Babylonians and Hittites. Studies at excavation sites in the area have shown that from 1,800-1,900 B.C., there was a large state in the Gaziantep region made up of twenty small kingdoms.  The region was ruled by the Hittites from the 16th century B.C. After the demise of the Anatolian Hittite Kingdom in the 1,200's B.C., the Late Hittites founded cities in the environs of Zincirli and Sakçagözü . During this period, Yesemek was an important statue production centre, making statues that were sent all over the kingdom. Carchemish (Karkamış) was an important city that, with its cult of the mother godess Kubaba, influenced the whole of Anatolia and the subsequent Greek and Roman civilizations. The Roman Period Following the Hittites, the region was controlled by the Assyrians and Aramaeans before being taken over by the Medians in 613-612 B.C. The Medians were followed by the Persians, and then Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, who conquered the region in the year 334 B.C. during his great Asian campaign. After Alexander the Great's death, the region was controlled by the Seleucids. During the 150's B.C., the Commagene king was the political power in the region, which was part of the Roman Empire from 64 B.C. onwards. When the Euphrates River was recognized as a natural border during this period, the region's importance increased. Legions were stationed along the length of the Euphrates to prevent enemies entering from the east. Although Roman remains are found almost everywhere in the region, most of our knowledge about the area in this period is gleaned from the ruins at Zeugma (Belkıs) and Doliche (Dülük).  The mosaics uncovered during excavations at Zeugma provide us with significant clues about life in a Roman town in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The maenad mosaic found at Zeugma that is popularly known as the "Gypsy Girl" has become a symbol of the Roman period in the region. When the Roman Empire split into two parts in 395 A.D., Gaziantep and the surrounding area became part of the Eastern Roman/Byzantine Empire. The area's importance waned during the Byzantine period, and there are no monumental remains from this time. The Byzantine, Islamic and Ottoman Periods At the beginning of the 7th century A.D., the possession of Gaziantep and the surrounding area frequently changed hands between Moslem Arabs and the Byzantines. Gaziantep was ruled by the Umayyads, Abbasids, Seljuks, Mamelukes and Ottomans, and also experienced the Crusades and the Mongolian invasions. The Byzantines lost control of Gaziantep when Moslem armies conquered the region during the rule of Caliph Ömer. The people of the region became Moslems in the year 639. Following the battle of Malazgirt in 1071, a Turkish state under the Seljuk Empire was formed in the area. The city was destroyed during the Mongol invasion of 1270, subsequently coming under the rule of the Dulkadiroğulları and Mamelukes. Following Yavuz Sultan Selim’s Mercidabık campaign against the Mamelukes in 1516, the whole region became part of the Ottoman Empire. The city grew under the Ottomans, who built many mosques, "madrasa" (Islamic teaching institutions) "hamams" and inns. Antep and the War of Independence During the Ottoman period, Antep was a district of the province of Aleppo. Hard times began for Antep when the Ottomans were considered defeated after World War I. The Mondros Truce signed on 30 October, 1918 was a death warrant for the Ottoman Empire. The entente states moved quickly to divide the area among themselves.  Gaziantep was first occupied on 15 January, 1919 by the English who were in Aleppo. When the English left, the French began to occupy the city on 29 October, 1919.  The people of Antep resisted the French for eleven months.  Many heroic deeds were performed during the resistance, which was led by the "Müdafaa-i Hukuk Cemiyeti", a civil society formed to organize a defence. In recognition of its people's bravery and endurance, the city was awarded the title of "Gazi" meaning "war veteran" by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 6 February,1921. As a result of the Treaty of Ankara of 20 October, 1921, the French vacated the city on 25 December, 1921. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk visited the city on 26-27 January, 1933; and by officially registering himself as a citizen of Gaziantep, once more demonstrated his admiration of the fight put up by its people. |
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