Amasya – Turkey, History Amasya

Amasya / Amaseia

First settlements in Amasya and surounding date back B.C. 2000 years. Historical name of Amasya is Amaseia. We see this name for the first time at the end of B.C. 4th Century in the written sources in the history. After Macedonian Empire is divided in B.C. 323,Ameseia comes into prominence substantially during the period of Kingdom of Pontus (B.C. 302–62), established in B.C. 302. I. Mithridates, establishing Kingdom of Pontus, makes Amaseia as capital city. City enters under Roman Empire rule in B.C. 63. City, which enters under Eastern Roman management in 395, is exposed to Arabian invasion in 7th Century and then even if it is captured by Byzantines again, it is ruled by Danışmendliler at the end of 11th Century and Anatolian Seljuks during the period of II. Kılıçaslan (1156-1192). It is exposed to Mongol invasion in 13th Century. Later on, it lives Beylics period. It is included into Ottoman lands by Yıldırım Bayezit in 1389. We can list the historical works in the city as follows. Amasya Castle on Harşema Mount is constructed during the period of Pontus King I. Mithridates (M.Öç 302-266).

Although it is destroyed in Roman period. (B.C. 69), it is also repaired in the subsequent periods and used in Seljuks and Ottoman periods. King Rock Tombs belong to B.C. 2nd Century and used as chapel in Byzantine period. Rock tunnel with stairs, constructed in B.C. 3rd-1st centuries, and Ferhat Aqueduct are the important historical works. Wreathed Minaret Mosque, constructed during the period of Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev II (1237-1247), Gökmedrese Mosque, composed of mosque, madrasah and tomb and constructed by Amasya Governor Seyfeddin Torumtay in 1266/67, Halifet Gazi Large tomb, constructed by the order of Halifet Alp Ibni Tuli, one of the Seljuks emirs, 1242; Hospital, constructed by the order of Amber Abdullah in 1308/09; Çilehane, constructed by the order of Yakup Pasha in 1413 in Ottoman period, 1414 dated Bayezid Pasha Mosque, Yürgüç Pasha Mosque, constructed by the order of Yürgüç Pasha in 1428, 1486 dated Mehmet Pasha Mosque; and also Bayezit II social complex, composed of mosque, madrasah, soup kitchen, tomb, water tank with a fountain and fountain and constructed by the prder of Hüseyin Ağa, Gate Chief of II. Bayezit in 1488, Taşhan, constructed in 1698-1699, are some of the other old works in the city. Amasya Museum, in which archaeological and ethnographic works are exhibited, and Hazeranlar Residence, belonging to 19th Century and restored and opened for public visits as Museum-home in 1984, are the places, which are required to be visited. Strabon, who is the famous geographer of ancient age and living between B.C. 64/63 – A.D. 20 /21,is from Amasya and 12th, 13th and 14th volumes of the work, which he writes as 17 volumes, are related to historical geography of Turkey.

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