Page 35 - Turkey Tour 2018 27th February (compiled)_Classical

After ending the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great tried to rule the area through one of his military
commanders. But Ariarathes, a Persian aristocrat, somehow became king of the Cappadocians. As Ariarathes I
(332–322 BC), he was a successful ruler, and he extended the borders of the Cappadocian Kingdom as far as
to the Black Sea. The kingdom of Cappadocia lived in peace until the death of Alexander. The previous empire
was then divided into many parts, and Cappadocia fell to Eumenes. His claims were made good in 322 BC by
the regent Perdiccas, who crucified Ariarathes; but in the dissensions which brought about Eumenes's
death, Ariarathes II, the adopted son of Ariarathes I, recovered his inheritance and left it to a line of successors,
who mostly bore the name of the founder of the dynasty.
Persian colonists in the Cappadocian kingdom, cut off from their co-religionists in Iran proper, continued to
practice Zoroastrianism. Strabo, observing them in the first century B.C., records (XV.3.15) that these "fire
kindlers" possessed many "holy places of the Persian Gods", as well as fire temples.[10] Strabo furthermore
relates, were "noteworthy enclosures; and in their midst there is an altar, on which there is a large quantity of
ashes and where the magi keep the fire ever burning."[10]

Under Ariarathes IV, Cappadocia came into relations with Rome, first as a foe espousing the cause of Antiochus
the Great, then as an ally against Perseus of Macedon. The kings henceforward threw in their lot with the
Republic as against the Seleucids, to whom they had been from time to time tributary

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappadocia

HP Mansfield Expositor Series
Compiler Alan McGrath

Avanos (Cavusin)

Avanos (Greek: Άβανος (f. sg.)) is a town and district of Nevşehir
Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, located 18 km
(11 mi) north of Nevşehir, the capital city of the province. It is
situated within the historic and tourist region of Cappadocia.
According to 2000 census, population of the district is 35,145 of
which 12,288 live in the town of Avanos. [3][4] The district covers an
area of 994 km (384 sq mi), and the average elevation is 920 m
2
[5]
(3,018 ft), with the highest point being Mt. İsmail Sivrisi at
1,756 m (5,761 ft).
The old city of Avanos, whose name in ancient times was
Venessa, overlooks the longest river of Turkey,
the Kızılırmak (Red River), which also separates Avanos from the
rest of Cappadocia.
The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of
earthenware pottery; it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its
countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has
always been used. It is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and views over
the river.

Visitor attractions[edit]