Tarsus in Cilicia - Definition and Overview

Tarsus is a city in present day Turkey, on the mouth of the Tarsus Cay (Cydnus) into the Mediterranean.

History

The ancient name is Tarsos, probably derived from the God Tarku. It was located at the crossing of several important trade routes, linking southern Anatolia to Syria and the Pontus-region. As the ruins are covered by the modern city, it is not very well known archaeologically. Settlement goes back to the Bronze Age at least, but is most probably older.

Tarsos was the seat of a Persian satrap from 400 BC onwards, later part of the Seleucid empire. After the Roman conquest, it was capital of the province of Cilicia. The stoic philosopher Antipatros and the apostle St. Paul were born here.

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