Research on Geography's Impact on the 11th-14th Century Cilician Defensive System

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.