Adana/Antiochia ad Sarum

Located in the heart of ancient Cilicia, on the banks of the fertile Saros River (modern Seyhan River), Adana/Antiochia ad Sarum has attracted attention throughout history due to its strategic importance and fertile lands. The city, which flourished particularly during the Roman Imperial Period, became an economic and cultural center thanks to its location at the crossroads of important trade routes, demonstrating its independence and wealth by minting its own coins.

History

The history of Adana/Antiochia ad Sarum is intertwined with the general history of the Cilician region. The region came under the dominion of great Anatolian and Mesopotamian empires such as the Hittites, Assyrians, and Persians. Following Alexander the Great's conquests and the advent of the Hellenistic Period, the city came under the control of the Seleucid Empire and likely acquired the name "Antiochia ad Sarum" during this era. This naming indicates that it was one of the many "Antiochia" cities founded or renamed by the Seleucid kings. The city's golden age occurred during the Roman Empire. With Rome's establishment of Cilicia as a province, Adana emerged as one of the region's significant cities. During the Roman period, the city experienced significant development thanks to its agricultural wealth and strategic location, becoming a hub for trade and cultural interactions. After the division of the Roman Empire, Adana became part of the Byzantine Empire, subsequently facing Arab incursions from the 7th century CE onwards and frequently changing hands during the Byzantine-Arab conflicts. In the Middle Ages, it maintained its strategic importance during the Crusades and the period of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia.

Geographic Location

Adana/Antiochia ad Sarum was founded in the center of the fertile Cilician Plain, which opens to the Mediterranean Sea, on the eastern bank of the Saros River (known today as the Seyhan River). This location offered not only fertile lands for agriculture but also a strategic advantage due to its proximity to the Cilician Gates (Gülek Pass), one of the important passes situated in the southern foothills of the Taurus Mountains, connecting Anatolia with Syria and Mesopotamia. This pass served as one of the main arteries for military and trade routes from antiquity onwards. Furthermore, its relative proximity to the Mediterranean strengthened the city's connections with coastal port cities. To its west lay important Cilician cities such as Tarsus, and to its east, Mopsuestia, which reinforced Adana's central role in the regional trade network. The river and the plain provided the city with both water resources and abundant agricultural products, forming the foundation of its economic prosperity.

Significance in Antiquity

The significance of Adana/Antiochia ad Sarum in antiquity stemmed from its geographical location and the economic, political, and military advantages this location provided. The city was a militarily critical point due to its position on one of the main routes controlling the Cilician Gates. This made the city an important base for both defensive and offensive operations. Economically, the fertile Cilician Plain, irrigated by the Saros River, enabled the city to prosper in agricultural production (cereals, cotton, fruits, etc.). This agricultural wealth stimulated the city's trade and transformed it into an important marketplace in the region. During the Roman Imperial Period, Adana held administrative importance as a "polis" or "civitas," functioning as part of the Roman administration in the region. Religiously, it hosted the cults of the Roman pantheon in addition to local Anatolian deities. Its status as one of the important bishoprics in Cilicia during the early Christian period also indicates the city's place in religious life.

Coinage

Adana/Antiochia ad Sarum was an important city that minted its own coins during the Roman Imperial Period. This practice is a significant indicator of the city's economic independence, administrative autonomy, and regional prestige. The coins minted by the city were generally made of bronze, bearing portraits of Roman emperors on their obverses, while their reverses featured local cults, mythological figures, or symbols of the city. For example, figures of the river god representing the Saros River, symbols of fertility, or motifs depicting important city structures can be seen on these coins. Coinage reflects the intensity of the city's commercial activities and its economic power in the region. Furthermore, the inscriptions and depictions on the coins provide valuable information to numismatic researchers about the city's local magistrates, religious beliefs, and cultural identity. These coins are important primary sources for understanding Adana's vitality in antiquity and its place within the Roman Empire.

Adana is an ancient mint represented in the NumisTR database by 16 coin varieties. The recorded coins were struck in bronze. You can browse the city's coins in the Cilicia coins list.

Archaeological Remains

As the modern city of Adana is built upon the ancient Adana/Antiochia ad Sarum, most of the city's ancient remains lie beneath modern constructions. However, the most prominent and surviving significant structure testifying to the city's ancient grandeur is the Roman Bridge over the Saros River, famously known as "Taşköprü" (Stone Bridge). This bridge is an impressive example of Roman engineering and demonstrates the ancient city's central role in its transportation and trade network. Furthermore, areas like Tepebağ Höyüğü (mound), which indicate much older settlement layers, prove that Adana has been a settlement for thousands of years. Mosaics, sculptures, ceramic fragments, and architectural elements unearthed during modern urbanization or archaeological excavations reveal the city's rich cultural heritage. The remains of ancient city walls, public structures such as theaters, agoras, or temples have not yet been fully uncovered or continue to exist beneath modern buildings.

Today

Ancient Adana/Antiochia ad Sarum forms the core of the modern city of Adana, one of Turkey's significant metropolises today. Modern Adana has grown on the fertile banks of the Seyhan River, built upon its ancient heritage. The city is easily accessible from both national and international areas thanks to the international Adana Şakirpaşa Airport and its developed road and rail networks. The Adana Archaeology Museum houses a rich collection of artifacts unearthed from the region, shedding light on the city's ancient past. Visitors can see ancient structures like Taşköprü and experience Adana's deep-rooted history through the artifacts in the museum.