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Asia Minor Facts & Worksheets

For the regions to the east of Greece, the Greeks called Asia Minor Anatolia, which means literally "place of the rising sun.“

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The majority of modern-day Turkey was once a part of ancient Asia Minor, a province in the southwest of Asia. The region is first mentioned on tablets from the Akkadian Kingdom (2334–2083 BCE), when the Hittites lived there and called the area The Land of the Hatti. It was one of the most important ancient geographic areas.

See the fact file below for more information on Asia Minor, or you can download our 28-page Asia Minor worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

NAMES

  • For the regions to the east of Greece, the Greeks called Asia Minor Anatolia, which means literally “place of the rising sun.“
  • The Christian historian Orosius (375–418 CE) first used the name Asia Minor (from the Greek Mikra Asia = Little Asia) to distinguish the main region of Asia from that which had been evangelized by the Apostle Paul (which included locations known from Paul’s Epistles in the Bible such as Ephesus and Galatia).
  • The region was known as East Thema in the Byzantine Empire of the ninth century CE, which simply meant Eastern Administrative Division. Later, mariners dubbed it The Levant, which meant “the rising” or “to rise,” referring to how the land rose up out on the horizon of the sea.

KEY EVENTS

  • 25 BCE – 235 CE: The Roman empire, which was divided into five provinces at its zenith, ruled Anatolia from the western shore to the Euphrates River. With their abundant trade networks and fertile farmland, the Roman cities of Anatolia grow to be the wealthiest in the empire. By the end of the first century CE, a massive network of roads marked by milestones and numerous new bridges was in place throughout Anatolia, and it remained in good condition for about 300 years.
  • 1st to early 4th century CE: Saint Paul brought Christianity to Anatolia in the first century; it didn’t become a recognized religion there until the early fourth century.
  • 17 CE: Twelve cities in western Anatolia were destroyed by an earthquake, including Sardis. Under the command of the Roman emperor Tiberius, these cities were rebuilt according to Roman plans, which included Roman architectural elements like the hippodrome and the monumental arch as well as long, broad main roadways.
  • late 3rd–4th century CE: The Alans were a new tribe to the Caucasus, and catacomb graves may be theirs. Iron weaponry, as well as ceramics resembling those found in southern urban areas, were found in the graves along with the gold-plated belt plaques made of bronze embellished with stylized snakes, birds, and people.
  • 324 CE: Byzantium became known as Constantinople or New Rome after the emperor Constantine relocated the seat of the Roman Empire.
  • 395 CE: Theodosius’ death caused the empire to be formally divided in two. The Byzantine Empire replaced the Eastern Roman Empire, which had its capital in Constantinople.

REGIONS AND CITIES

  • Asia Minor served as the capital of many kingdoms and renowned cities in the ancient world. Some regions of Asia Minor became popular.
  • Pergamon: The city built a number of significant buildings, monuments, and temples to the Greek gods, the most famous of which is the Altar of Zeus, which is now housed in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. The city is probably best known today as one of the seven churches of Asia in the biblical Book of Revelation 2:12-17, where it is mentioned as the location “where Satan has his throne” and “where Satan lives.” 
  • Troy: The Bronze Age city attacked during the Trojan War, which is a well-known tale in Greek mythology, is known by the name Troy. Homer’s Iliad, which describes the last year of the Trojan War somewhere in the 13th century BCE, is set in Troy. In reality, a coalition of Greek armies under the command of King Agamemnon of Mycenae besieged the city for ten years.
  • Lydia: Due to its natural riches and location on trade routes between the Mediterranean and Asia, Lydia, an area of western Asia Minor, prospered. The 7th and 6th centuries BCE saw the Kingdom of Lydia at its height when it was ruled by Croesus, who was renowned for his enormous wealth.
  • Ionia: The “Ionian awakening,” a term for the beginnings of classical Greek civilization, occurred in the sixth century BCE when Ionia became the center of Greek intellectual life.
  • Lycia: Early Hittite documents from before 1200 BCE contain the earliest mentions of Lycia, which is referred to as the Lukka Lands. Both Hittite and Egyptian literature make reference to the city, and the Lycians are identified with a people group called the Sea Peoples in both inscriptions.

FAMOUS SITES

  • Asia Minor was home to some of the most renowned persons, places, and events throughout ancient history. In addition, two sites of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are located in Asia Minor.
  • Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. Built-in the sixth century BCE, Ephesus‘ Temple of Artemis was situated on Asia Minor’s western shore (current-day Turkey). It quickly gained recognition as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World due to its enormous scale, which was double that of other Greek temples, including the Parthenon.
  • The massive Ionic temple was burned down intentionally in the fourth century BCE, reconstructed, and used until Late Antiquity and the Gothic invasion in 267 CE.
  • A Christian mob destroyed it for the final time in 401 CE after it had been rebuilt twice.
  • Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. The enormous mausoleum was constructed for Mausolus, the king of Caria, in 350 BCE. The marble structure was so huge and embellished with so many impressive sculptures that it was included in the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and later gave the word “mausoleum” to any substantial memorial. There are still some podium and column fragments, and the British Museum in London currently houses several sizable pieces of the ornate sculpture from the Mausoleum.
  • The Maussolleion or Mausoleum in Halicarnassus served as the final resting place for Mausolos when he passed away in 353 BCE.

FAMOUS PEOPLE

  • Thales of Miletus (585 BCE). He was born and raised at Miletus, a Greek colony on the west coast of what is now Turkey. Because of his prominence as the First Philosopher—a title bestowed upon him by later Greek writers on the subject—, Miletus is sometimes referred to as the birthplace of Greek philosophy.
  • Thales was first referred to as the “First Philosopher” by the philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BCE), and his claim was accepted because all of his assertions were frequently believed to be true.
  • Herodotus (484 – 425/413 BCE). Greek historian Herodotus is best known for his book Histories. The Roman author Cicero referred to him as “The Father of History,” while other critics, both ancient and modern, have rejected him and referred to him as “The Father of Lies,” contending that his writings are only tall tales.
  • Pythagoras (571 – 497 BCE). Pythagoras was a Greek philosopher whose ideas focused on the immortality and reincarnation of the soul, righteous, compassionate treatment of all living things, and the idea of “number” as truth in the sense that mathematics not only cleared the mind but also permitted an objective understanding of reality. 
  • The Pythagorean Theorem, a mathematical theorem that states that the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares on the other two sides, is what he is most famous for in contemporary times.

GREEK MYTHOLOGY

  • Greek mythology’s immortal gods and goddesses had a significant impact on both the history of Asia Minor and the cultures of the numerous civilizations that came to this region. Before Christianity, the inhabitants of Anatolia worshipped these gods. They experienced the supernatural, and poets and other authors have written about it.
  • Zeus. The supreme god Zeus is in charge of Olympus. He is recognized by numerous names, including Zeus the Thunderer, Lord of the Sky, Cloud-gatherer, and Rain-god, all of which reflect how vital rain was to the Ancient World.
  • He is neither omnipotent nor omniscient. Both gods and humans could oppose, trick, and, in fact, did so against him. Zeus’s power, while enormous, was not limitless; he had no influence over fates. Like all Greek deities, Zeus was prone to pleasure, pain, grief, and fury, but he was especially vulnerable to the power of Eros, or love, which frequently caused him to get in trouble with his wife, Hera, for the things he desired.
  • Hera. Zeus’ sister and wife was Hera. She was raised by the Titans Ocean and Tethys, and in spite of the enduring appellation “cow-faced” (or, in some translations, “ox-eyed”), she was extremely attractive. In fact, she was one of the three candidates in the Paris Judgment, which sparked the Trojan War. However, she had a less endearing demeanor. She was petty and vicious, and she was frequently depicted exacting some form of retribution on one of Zeus’ lovers. The Quest of the Golden Fleece is the one and only myth that depicts her as a noble and kind guardian of heroes and an inspiration for heroic deeds.

Asia Minor Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Asia Minor across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Asia Minor. The majority of modern-day Turkey was once a part of ancient Asia Minor, a province in the southwest of Asia.

Asia Minor Worksheets
Asia Minor Worksheets
Asia Minor Worksheets

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Asia Minor Facts
  2. We Built This City
  3. Truth in Asia Minor
  4. Vocabulary Challenge
  5. It’s Gonna Be Greek
  6. Back to the Asia Minor
  7. A Minor Fact!
  8. Greek God and Goddesses
  9. Philosophy vs. Science
  10. Philosoph-me
  11. Enter the Romans

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Asia Minor?

Asia Minor, also known as Anatolia, is a region located in Western Asia and is mostly occupied by modern-day Turkey. It is bordered by the Black Sea to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Aegean Sea to the west.

What was the historical significance of Asia Minor?

Asia Minor has been an important region throughout history due to its strategic location and resources. It was home to many ancient civilizations such as the Hittites, the Phrygians, the Lydians, and the Persians. It was also a part of the Roman Empire and played a key role in the spread of Christianity.

What is the geography of Asia Minor?

Asia Minor is a diverse region with a variety of landscapes including mountains, valleys, and coastal plains. It is also home to several major rivers such as the Tigris and Euphrates. The region is known for its natural resources such as minerals, forests, and fertile land for agriculture.

What languages are spoken in Asia Minor?

The official language of modern-day Turkey is Turkish, which is the most widely spoken language in Asia Minor. However, there are also many other languages spoken in the region such as Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek, and Laz.

What are some famous landmarks in Asia Minor?

Asia Minor is home to many famous landmarks, such as the ancient city of Troy, the ruins of Ephesus, the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. These landmarks are not only important historical and cultural sites but also popular tourist destinations.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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