Kazanlak

Western Frontiers and Client Kingdoms

Mithradates II faced challenges on the western frontiers, quelling rebellions in Iraq and Charax. He appointed Tigranes as the vassal king of Armenia and captured Seleucid king Demetrius III. In the east, Mithradates successfully redirected Saka raiders into India. The nearby Surens, or Indo-Parthians, became a client kingdom in southeastern Iran and Pakistan, while others established friendly states in India. The Parthian empire, characterized by loose organization, employed native satellite rulers near the borders rather than direct governance Mithradates II and the Flourishing Parthian Empire.

Military Reforms and New Army

Not forgetting the betrayal by Greek mercenaries, Mithradates II enhanced the army to reduce dependence on their services. While cavalry remained the primary force, Mithradates mandated landowners to provide peasants for infantry uni

Challenge from the Scythians

Following Antiochus VII’s defeat, the Parthians faced new challenges from Scythian raids into Iran. In response, Phraates, utilizing Greek captives from Antiochus’s defeat, confronted the Scythians. However, when the battle took a turn for the worse, the Greek captives turned on Phraates, aiding the nomads in defeating the Parthian army. This incident left a lasting impact on Parthian military strategy The Kingdom of the Maccabees.

Successors and Nomadic Threats

Artabanus II, Phraates’s uncle and successor, similarly fell victim to nomadic threats. The subsequent king, Mithradates II, emerged as the most significant ruler in Parthian history. Drawing a parallel between Mithradates II and Darius I, both notable for enriching their respective empires, Mithradates II played a crucial role in transforming the region. In contrast to the challenging arid landscape, the Part

Pontus, Cappadocia, and Pergamun

Pontus A Multilingual Region

The northern coast of Asia Minor, known as Pontus, was dominated by a feudal Persian nobility. Despite its fertility, the region was home to people speaking twenty-two different languages in its villages. King Mithradates I (301-266), a partially Hellenized Persian claiming Achaemenid descent, founded the state, gaining independence from both Antigonus I and the Seleucids. Welcoming the arrival of the Gauls like the Bithynians Turmoil and Decline in the Seleucid Kingdom, he established the capital in Amasia, later moved to Sinope in the second century.

Rise of Pontic Power

Mithradates’ successors strengthened the country, employing many Greeks and earning recognition as a Hellenistic power. Pharnaces I (185-169), one of them, ambitiously proposed a Pontic empire encircling the Black Sea. Mithradates V (150-120), the son of

Unhappy Marriages and Poisoned Kings

The marriage between Antiochus II and Berenice turned out to be far from happy. After a brief period, Antiochus abandoned Berenice and their infant son to reunite with Laodice. Unfortunately, Laodice poisoned him, declared her own son Seleucus II (246-225) as king, and ordered the execution of Berenice and her son. This treacherous act triggered the Third Syrian or Laodicean War (246-241) when the Egyptian king, Ptolemy III Challenges and Decline in the Seleucid Kingdom, sought vengeance. Despite Ptolemy’s initial successes, particularly in recapturing Ionia, coastal Syria, and part of Thrace, Seleucus struggled in a civil war with his brother Antiochus Hierax, preventing him from reclaiming lost territories like Pergamun, Parthia, and Bactria.

Successors and Continued Losses

Following Seleucus III’s reign (225-223), Antiochus III, an eighteen-year

During its zenith around 300 B.C., the Seleucid Kingdom, led by Seleucus Nicator, spanned approximately 1.5 million square miles. Despite being considered Alexander’s true heir due to significant territorial acquisitions, Seleucus faced numerous challenges that impeded the kingdom’s stability and unity.

Ethnic Disunity and Territorial Losses

The primary obstacle was ethnic disunity, resulting in Greek factionalism, varied governance across provinces, and anti-Greek sentiments among the native populations. Foreign adversaries surrounded the kingdom, contributing to its sluggish responsiveness Ancient States of Asia Minor. Seleucus had to relinquish the Indus Valley, and during his reign, Armenia, northern Anatolia, and northwestern Iran gained independence.

Challenges Under Antiochus I

Under the rule of the second Seleucid king, Antiochus I (281-261), the situation worsened. Gauls invaded from th

“The Thing” and “Ogul” – Movie Highlights

“The Thing”
Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

For fans of horror and science fiction, “The Thing” is a must-see. Archaeologist Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) embarks on a journey to the far end of Antarctica for the most crucial research of her life. Joining a group of Norwegian scientists, Kate discovers an intriguing organism that has been living under the ice for billions of years. As the group conducts experiments, the creature breaks free, unleashing havoc. Teaming up with helicopter pilot Carter (Joel Edgerton), Kate attempts to prevent the creature from harming everyone. However, this alien entity Vibrant Events and New Releases, with the ability to mimic anything it touches, starts sowing discord among the team. Directed by Matthi

Akbank Jazz Festival

Akbank Jazz Festival, one of Turkey’s most enduring festivals, is set to showcase world-renowned jazz artists from October 13 to November 3, 2011. The festival offers more than just concerts, including workshop activities, panels, competitions, jazz brunch events, and ‘Jazz at the Campus’ concerts. The lineup features prominent names such as Charles Lloyd New Quartet, Avishai Cohen’s ‘Seven Seas,’ Arild Andersen Trio, Maffy Folay Sextet, Dusko Goykovich Quartet, The Ray Gelato Giants Turkish Impact on Global Gaming, Azam Ali & Niyaz, Carmen Souza, Robert Glasper Experiment, Vijay Iyer Trio, and ZAZ.

Ankara Anatolian Film Fest

The Ankara Anatolian Film Fest is scheduled to take place from November 11 to 20, 2011. Alongside international independent films presented during the festival, competing short films will be viewed in the halls with the jury memb

When computer games are in question, big names like Electronic Arts or Konami come to mind. But now that the Turks have joined the game markets, world-famous Turkish games have taken their places in the market.

Here are some of them…

Crysis Series

Released by the American software company Electronic Arts (EA), the game revolves around a big war between aliens and earthlings. The creators of the game are three Turkish brothers: Cevat, Avni, and Faruk Yerli, who are also the founders of the Crytek company. Crysis game series, although originating from a multi-national company based in Germany, are influenced by Turkish scenarios. Crytek, established in 1999, achieved great success with its first release, “Far Cry,” via Ubisoft in 2004 The Thing and Ogul. This first-person-shooter (FPS) game sold 730 thousand copies in four months. A movie inspired by the game, “Far Cry 2,” was filmed, and Crytek ca