The population of Anatolia, according to recent estimates, is over 9,000,000, composed of a number of different races. The Turks are found all over the country, in which they occupy the foremost position, both in commercial and in political life. The Turkomans, who are akin to the Turks, are mostly nomadic. The Greeks and Armenians constitute a considerable fraction of the population, and volume' ee is to a great extent in their hands. Among other elements in the population are Kurds, Yuruks. Lazes, Jews, Circassians. and Bulgarians. It. is estimated that about four-liftbs of the inhabitants are agri culturists or herdsmen. Among the cities of Anatolia are Smyrna, Scutari, Brussa, Kaisar iyeh, Adana, Konieh, Sivas. Manissa (Magne sia), Aidin, Trebizond, Amasia, Tokat, Angora, Adalia, Ismid, and Kutaieh.
This region was an early seat of civilization. The country has passed under the supremacy of one race after another, and it has been the scene of numerous wars, both in ancient and in modern times. The west coast was early lined with opulent Greek cities, the seats of poetry, learn ing, and the arts, and great centres of coloniza tion. In the first half of the sixth century B.C. the kingdom of Lydia, under Crcesus, attained the height of its splendor. Crcesns was con quered by the Persians, who extended their sway over the whole peninsula. The rule of Macedon succeeded that of Persia. After the disrup tion of Alexander's empne the Seleueid kings of Syria were dominant in Asia Minor. By the
side of the Seleueid realm, various states arose in the peninsula, Pergamon, Bithynia, Cappa docia, and Pontus. The Romans first carried their arms into Asia Minor at the beginning of the second century B.C., when they vanquished Antioehus the Great of Syria. In the following century Pontus was a mighty realm under Mith ridates the Great, who succumbed to the arms of Pompey. After 395 Al).. Asia Minor formed part of the Greek, or Byzantine, Empire. Under the Byzantines, it received the name of Anatolia. In the eleventh century the Seljuks made them selves masters of the region, where they estab lished the sultanate of Ruin. The (lose of the thirteenth century witnessed the beginnings of the power of the Ottoman Turks, who in the course of the following century established their sway over Asia ,Minor, which now became a great base whence Mohammedan conquests were carried on in Europe. Since 1453 the Ottoman Turks have ruled Anatolia from Constantinople. The ancient divisions of this region were l'ontus, Paphlagouia. Bithynia, Galatia, Lyeaonia, Phrygia, Cilieia, Caria, Pisidia, Pamphylia, Cap padoeia. I\lysia. and Lydia.
Consult: Percy, The Highlands of Asiatic Tur key (London. 1901) : Oberhununer and Zimmer er, Durch Syrien. and Tilci»asirn (Leipzig, 189S) ; K. Kaunenberg, Nutursehatze (Ber lin, ISOT) : J. Bryce, Tra»s-Caucasia and Ararat (London, 1S96) ; H. C. Barkley. :1 nidr TI)rough, Asia Minor and Arm-cnia (London, 1891).