Erzincan from the late iron age to the end of the 6th century

Bthis study examines the historical development of Erzincan and its surroundings, located in the Upper Euphrates Basin of Eastern Anatolia, from the final phases of the Iron Age to the end of the 6th century. The period under investigation represents a dynamic process characterized by frequent changes in political domination, the coexistence of diverse cultural elements, and the decisive role of geography in shaping historical developments. Owing to its natural passes, fertile plains, and major transportation routes, Erzincan held a strategically significant military and economic position throughout Antiquity. Within this framework, the geography of Eastern Anatolia is evaluated based on ancient and modern sources, emphasizing the role of rivers—Parthicularly the Euphrates—in the formation of historical boundaries and settlement patterns. The historical development of Erzincan from prehistoric periods to the end of the Iron Age is addressed, with a focus on the political structures established under Urartian, Cimmerian, Scythian, Median, and Persian rule. The administrative and architectural presence of the Urartian Kingdom in the region is examined primarily through archaeological evidence from the excavations at Altıntepe Fortress. In the post-Urartian period, the movements of the Cimmerians and Scythians, followed by Median and Persian dominance, and later the rule of the Seleucids during the Hellenistic period, as well as Parthian and Roman control, are analyzed to assess Erzincan’s role in regional and inter-imperial relations. Parthicular emphasis is placed on the strategic importance of the Satala military base within the context of Roman-Parthian conflicts. By evaluating archaeological data obtained from mounds, settlements, and fortresses identified within the borders of Erzincan province, this study aims to demonstrate the continuity of settlement in the region and to reveal that Erzincan functioned not merely as a transitional zone, but as an active and dynamic historical landscape in Antiquity.