Killikia Region in Assyria - Anatolia Relations of I. Millennium B.C.

Abstract

In ancient sources, the area lying from Alanya to Syrian passages and surrounded by Taurus Mountains on the north is called as Killikia. Killikia consists of two parts us Que (Bottom landed Killikia) and Hilakku (Mountainous Killikia) in the Assyrian age. The region has always had a priority place in Assyria's north and northwest policies of I. millennium B.C. with its geopolitical location and natural resources. That is, Salmanassar III. (858 - 824 B.C.), who has realized that the future of Assyria depends on gaining power and playing an effective role in the region, is the first Assyrian king to take a strong interest in Killikia. Salmanassar's expeditions to the region were directed towards holding control of the trade routes, which lie down through west and have vital importance for Assyria, and of Taurus mines. As a natural outcome of the problems occurred during the period of Sargon II. (722 - 705 B.C.), it is seen that Killikia's military and political function continued increasingly. During the reign of this king, Killikia became a region where lots of diplomatic intrigues and big civil insurrections such as Kirua insurrection happened. The mentioned insurrection, once again, displayed the importance of Killikia for Assyria in terms of military, strategy and economy. Furthermore, colonies established at Killikia coasts in the middle of VIII. century B.C. appeared as an outcome of Assyrian expansionism. Asarhaddon (680 - 669 B.C.) carried on the traditional Assyrian policy, which can be summarized as keeping Qne and Killikia gates under control and reaching to the Mediterranean Sea. The fact that there is no sufficient documentation belonging to the last times of Asurbanipal (668 - 627 B.C.) has led to emergence of extremely complex problems such as "Big Killikia" thesis of Herodot. However, Killikia must have had its freedom after the death of Asurbanipal.