Bursa in Byzantine Period (Political, physical, religious and socio-economic structure)

Although the founding of the city of Prusa (Bursa) took place during the reign of Prusias I (230-182 BC), King of Bithynia, the region dates back to the Neolithic Age. The reason why the city gained importance is because M.S. I.-II. Plinius was appointed as governor in this area in the 20th century. The center of the Roman Empire shifted to the east and Constantinopolis (Istanbul) was built and declared as the capital, causing the city to follow a policy close to the center. Prusa's Byzantine history for about a thousand years continued on a certain line. Until Nikaia was captured by the Seljuks in 1081, Prusa has not been in a politically important position. The monastery life in Olympos (Uludag) mountain and Pythia (Çekirge) bathers have been important points for Prusa city till 11th century. With the emergence of the Crusades, the Latin Empire and the Ottomans, the city played a crucial role in politics. The city, which was administratively linked to the Opsikion Theme, maintained its status under the same theme until this system broke down. Until 1326, including the period of the Latin Empire, it did not come out clearly from the dominance of the Byzantine Empire. Crops such as olives and grapes play an important role in Prusa's economic structure. In addition, Prusa's plains and farms are an important consideration for the Byzantine era. The city of Prusa, which is surrounded by walls, has been continuously settled in Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire periods. Prusa's being capital during Ottoman period led to very few artifacts to survive. Except fortification walls and dungeons from Byzantine period, no other structures that can provide information about the city have come to light. After the struggle between Paganism and Christianity, Prusa's religious life has largely been monopolized by Christianity. The Olympos mountain was chosen by the monks for many years as a spiritual retreat and monastery culture has arisen. Iconoclastic period is also significant for raising the importance of the area as the clergy had to flee to the Olympos mountain.