ROMAN FINE WARES IN CILICIA: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

The location of Cilicia in the southeastern part of the Anatolian peninsula was one reason for it to play an important role in the history of ceramic production and trade within the eastern Mediterranean basin. The division of Cilicia into two regions, both geographically and from time to time administratively, may also have affected the way of life and the other customs concerning the use of pottery by the inhabitants. Cilicia Pedias or Flat Cilicia has a fertile alluvial plain watered by the rivers Pyramos, Saros and Kydnos, and so is favourable for agricultural activities and for other types of production. Some of the most ancient towns of the region like Adania, Tarsus, Soloi-Pompeiopolis etc. were here. Among these, Tarsus is also known as the metropolis and administrative centre of Cilicia Pedias and, from time to time, of the whole of Cilicia and the neighbouring lands. The second region, Cilicia Aspera or Tracheia, as it can be understood from its name, has a mountainous topography, and so is not good for agriculture. On the other hand, it contains mines and forests, as well as being an area for olive cultivation and fishery, both of which were major sources of income for the inhabitants. Before the Roman period the foremost settlements were small coastal towns, such as Elaiussa-Sebaste, Kelenderis and Anemurium.