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HISTORY OF TARSUS
Tarsus is one of the oldest settlement areas where cultures and civilizations meet with a history going back 8000 years. It is not very well known clearly when and by whom it was founded.
Excavation of the mound of Gözlükule which brought to light the evidence of prehistorical life in Tarsus going back to the Neolithic Period proves that the city has been existing since prehistorical era. Because Tarsus was a harbor city it was ruled by many different states during the history. The ships and the vessels used to get through the city center at the time when the river Cydnus (today called Tarsus Nehri) emptied into the Mediterranean Sea. Tarsus was kept under the control by the Hittites, the Assyrians, the Persians, the Macedonians, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Seljuk Turks and the Ottomans. Still today, there are several ruins especially belonging to Roman era in and around the city. In this period of history the city became an important center of education and knowledge. As hosting several civilizations and religions for many years, Tarsus had a big influence on rest of the world. Christian apostle Paul of Tarsus, Prophet Daniel, first muezzin in Islam Bilal ibn Rabah, Harun Resid’s son Caliph Al-Ma’mun, the famous philosopher of antiquity Aristotle, anchestor of doctors Lokman the Physician, The Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt, Roman Commander Mark Antony lived in Tarsus.
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