ON THE AXIS OF MINOAN, MYCENAEAN AND HITTITES, THE POSSIBLE COLONIZATION ACTIVITIES IN WESTERN ANATOLIA
MİNOS, MİKEN VE HİTİTLER EKSENİNDE BATI ANADOLU’DAKİ MUHTEMEL SÖMÜRGECİLİK FAALİYETLERİ

Author : Barış GÜR
Number of pages : 233-249

Abstract

In this paper, the possible colonial activities, affecting Western Anatolia, beginning in the Late Middle Bronze Age and during Late Bronze Age, had been discussed. Studies show Miletos have been turned into a colony by the Minoans that had widespread trading network in Neo Palatial Period throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. In this period Minoan influence has been observed in different settlements. Of course, the reason for the existence of Minoan trade routes by checking the marketing of tin is to provide Western Anatolia. Beginning from LH IIIA in Aegean basin Mycenaeans that replaced Minoans, began to deal with Western Anatolia. The reason of Mycenaean interest in Western Anatolia, no doubt very small number or no available natural resources in mainland Greece. Considering the geographical and geological structure of Western Anatolia, supply the timber forests, distribution, abundance of mineral resources, the most important of these in the distribution of the gold resources in the region should be factors in attracting Mycenaeans. One of these factors should be slaves supplied from W. Anatolia to run the Mycenaean palaces as well as ground and underground sources. Similarly, The Hittites made use of manpower in W. Anatolia, captured their peoples to use at their agricultural land. It has been known by Hittite documents. As a result of the military campaign of Tuthaliya II against the Confederation of Assuwa, it is known that 10.000 soldiers, 600 teams of horses and a large number of prisoners of war took Hatti. After the campaign of Western Anatolia, also Mursili II moved at least 65.000 people from Arzawa to Hittite homeland.

Keywords

Colonization, Western Anatolia, Mycenaean, Minoan, Hittite

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