Brief History

The Mediterranean Region has a rich history, with the Lycians, Pamphylians, and Cilicians occupying the coastal areas and building fortified cities and tombs that still stand today. The Lycians, in particular, left behind a unique cultural legacy with their rock-cut tombs and Lycian League, a form of federalism admired by later civilizations. The Greeks also established colonies along the coast, and during the Roman Empire, the region’s cities such as Perge and Aspendos became vital centers of trade, culture, and politics. The strategic Mediterranean coast facilitated Roman, Greek, and later Byzantine control over the area.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Byzantines maintained control over much of the region. The coastal cities became important centers of commerce and defense during the medieval period. The arrival of the Seljuks and later the Ottomans further integrated the region into the broader cultural and political history of Anatolia. The Mediterranean climate, combined with its fertile lands, made it an attractive location for agriculture and settlement throughout the centuries.