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ASIA MINOR
Anatolia (Turkish: Anadolu) is a peninsula of
Western Asia which forms the greater part (96 %) of the Asian portion of
Turkey, as opposed to the European portion (4 %) (Thrace, or traditionally
Rumelia). It is also often called by the Latin name of Asia Minor, which
comes from the Greek Mikra Asia.
The name comes from the Greek Αnatole or Anatolía, which means "east". The
Byzantine theme of "Anatolikon" ("eastern one") signified the lands to the
east of Europe and Constantinople. The Turkish form Anadolu derives from
the Greek version; Turkish folk etymology breaks down the geographical
term into two words, "mother" and "full" Thus, Ana, dolu 'Mother, it is
full' or 'Full of mothers'.
Because of its strategic location at the
intersection of Asia and Europe, Anatolia has been a cradle for several
civilizations since prehistoric ages, with Neolithic settlements such as
Catalhoyuk (Pottery Neolithic), Cayonu (Pre-Pottery Neolithic A to pottery
Neolithic), Nevali Cori (Pre-Pottery Neolithic B), Hacilar (Pottery
Neolithic), Gobekli Tepe (Pre-Pottery Neolithic A) and Mersin. The
settlement of Troy starts in the Neolithic and continues forward into the
Iron Age.
Through its recorded history, Anatolians
have spoken both Indo-European and Semitic languages, as well as many
languages of uncertain affiliation. In fact, given the antiquity of the
Indo-European Hittite and Luwian languages, some scholars have proposed
Anatolia as the hypothetical center from which the Indo-European languages
have radiated. Other authors have proposed an Anatolian origin for the
Etruscans of ancient Italy and the Elymians of Sicily.
Historically known peoples that have
settled in or conquered Anatolia include the Leleges, Colchians, Hattians,
Luwians, Hittites, Phrygians, Cimmerians, Lydians, Lycians, Pisidians,
Pamphylians, Persians, Celts, Tabals, Meshechs, Greeks, Pelasgians,
Assyrians, Armenians, Romans, Goths, Arabs, Kurds, Byzantines, Seljuk
Turks and Ottomans. These peoples belonged to many varied ethnic and
linguistic traditions.
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