EN
Research on Geography’s Impact on the 11th-14th Century Cilician Defensive System
Abstract
Cilicia is a very advantageous region for settlement, as its geography offers security and economic prosperity. The distinctive features of the region have caused Cilicia to host many military struggles throughout history. The defensive structures built at strategic points of the region with the desire for dominance were used by different civilizations for centuries for the same reason. With the addition of new defense structures in the 11th-14th centuries to these existing fortifications, the defense system discussed in this study was formed. Despite having more than one cultural layer, the similarities between them are remarkable. The study focuses on the relationship between the similarities of these defense structures and the geography of Cilicia. For this reason, the regional location, settlement decisions and architecture of 66 defensive structures located on different topographies ranging from sea level to 1500 m altitude were examined in the field in terms of their relationship with the geography of Cilicia. The data obtained are presented in this study under the same thematic headings in a comprehensive manner. Thus, it has been revealed that the Cilician defense system does not only consist of buildings, but that the geography of Cilicia is an integral part of this system.
Keywords
Thanks
This article is derived from the doctoral thesis titled “Conservation Problems of 11th-14th Century Cilician Region Defense Structures,” which is being conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Yegan Kahya Sayar within the Restoration Program of the Istanbul Technical University Graduate Institute
References
- Armenia, J. 2010. Armenian Cilicia XII-XIV Century: Dawn, Splendor and Twilight of a Christian Kingdom in the Near East during the Crusades. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.
- Belke, K. 2017. “Transport and Communication.” In The Archaeology of Byzantine Anatolia, edited by P. Niewöhner, 28-38. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Çambel, H. 1985. “Domuztepe: Son Araştırmalar Işığında Yeni Bir Değerlendirme.” AnAr 10:31-50.
- Diez, E., O. Aslanapa, M. Koman. 1950. Karaman Devri Sanatı. Istanbul: İstanbul Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Yayınları.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Medieval Age Archeology, Ancient History (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
December 26, 2025
Submission Date
September 20, 2024
Acceptance Date
February 5, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Number: 28
APA
Sökmen Kök, D. (2025). Research on Geography’s Impact on the 11th-14th Century Cilician Defensive System. Adalya, 28, 23-46. https://doi.org/10.47589/adalya.1848227
AMA
1.Sökmen Kök D. Research on Geography’s Impact on the 11th-14th Century Cilician Defensive System. Adalya. 2025;(28):23-46. doi:10.47589/adalya.1848227
Chicago
Sökmen Kök, Derya. 2025. “Research on Geography’s Impact on the 11th-14th Century Cilician Defensive System”. Adalya, nos. 28: 23-46. https://doi.org/10.47589/adalya.1848227.
EndNote
Sökmen Kök D (December 1, 2025) Research on Geography’s Impact on the 11th-14th Century Cilician Defensive System. Adalya 28 23–46.
IEEE
[1]D. Sökmen Kök, “Research on Geography’s Impact on the 11th-14th Century Cilician Defensive System”, Adalya, no. 28, pp. 23–46, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.47589/adalya.1848227.
ISNAD
Sökmen Kök, Derya. “Research on Geography’s Impact on the 11th-14th Century Cilician Defensive System”. Adalya. 28 (December 1, 2025): 23-46. https://doi.org/10.47589/adalya.1848227.
JAMA
1.Sökmen Kök D. Research on Geography’s Impact on the 11th-14th Century Cilician Defensive System. Adalya. 2025;:23–46.
MLA
Sökmen Kök, Derya. “Research on Geography’s Impact on the 11th-14th Century Cilician Defensive System”. Adalya, no. 28, Dec. 2025, pp. 23-46, doi:10.47589/adalya.1848227.
Vancouver
1.Derya Sökmen Kök. Research on Geography’s Impact on the 11th-14th Century Cilician Defensive System. Adalya. 2025 Dec. 1;(28):23-46. doi:10.47589/adalya.1848227