CAPPADOCIA (region)
Historical region of Anatolia in Turkey
- Kind of place
- Region
- Patron
- Anaitis
- Landmarks
- Shrines of Anaitis and Omanus Strabo 15.3.15; Temples of Persian deities Strabo 15.3.15; Temples of Anaitis and Omanus Strabo 15.3.15; Pyraetheia Strabo 15.3.15; Statue of Omanus Strabo 15.3.15
- Where
- 38.67° N, 34.84° E
Cappadocia includes the vast plain known as Bagadania. Strabo 2.1.15 Magi maintain an unextinguished fire on altars within these shrines. Strabo 15.3.15 Mazaca is the metropolis of the Cappadocians. Strabo 14.2.29
Described in the sources
Cappadocia is located near the Euphrates river, Commagene, and Lesser Armenia. Strabo 11.12.3 +4 Cappadocia is located near and runs parallel to the region of Pontus. Strabo 12.3.12 +4 The Euphrates river served as the boundary dividing Armenia from Cappadocia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.20 ¶1 +3 Cappadocia is situated near the region of Commagene, which extends along its border near Melitene, with the Euphrates river flowing between them. Strabo 11.12.2 +2 Phrygia is located next to Cappadocia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.41 ¶1 +1 Cappadocia extends as far as the Euxine Sea. Strabo 2.1.15 +1 Comana is located within the Upper Cappadocia region. Strabo 11.12.2 +1 The Taurus mountains separate Cappadocia from Cilicia Tracheia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 8.83 ¶1 +1 Melitene is the only part of Cappadocia planted with fruit-trees and constitutes one tenth of its total area. Strabo 12.1.2 +1 Cappadocia is situated along the third parallel circle, with its southern parts located under the fourth circle. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.39 ¶4 +1
Gods and worship
This oil is noted for its ability to strengthen tendons. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 15.7 ¶4 The region contains many temples dedicated to Persian deities. Strabo 15.3.15 The temple in Pontus is a copy of the one located in Cappadocia. Strabo 12.3.32 Priests in Pontus receive the same respect as those in Cappadocia. Strabo 12.3.32 Temples of Anaitis and Omanus observe the same customs in the region. Strabo 15.3.15 Religious rites in Pontus closely mirror those practiced in Cappadocia. Strabo 12.3.32
Stories and history
Croesus invaded Cappadocia to expand his territory, partly motivated by a desire to avenge Astyages against Cyrus. Herodotus 1.71.1 +1 The specular stone sheets from Cappadocia are clouded. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 36.45 ¶1 The priest of the Jupiter temple is appointed for life. Strabo 12.2.6 Sisinus held a royal seat named Cadena within the region. Strabo 12.2.6 Theophrastus states the local mule is a distinct species. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 8.69 ¶1 The Selgicum oil is made from local herbs found in the region. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 15.7 ¶4 The historian Ephorus also omitted Cappadocia from his accounts. Strabo 14.5.27 Ariarathes annexed the Cataonians to the territory of Cappadocia. Strabo 12.1.2 Sisinus attempted to seize control of the kingdom of this region. Strabo 12.2.6 The kings of Cappadocia supported the cities against Aristonicus. Strabo 14.1.38
Myths set at Cappadocia
- The Arrival at Comana. Iphigenia fled the Tauri and arrived at Brauron, where she left the image of Artemis. She then traveled to Comana in Cappadocia with her brother Orestes. Pausanias 1.33.1 +2 Iphigenia