Paphlagonia

Paphlagonia was an ancient region in the north of Asia Minor, situated between Bithynia to the west and Pontus to the east. It bordered the Black Sea to the north and extended inland to the ranges of the Ottoman Mountains. The region was known for its fertile land, producing grain, timber, and various fruits. Its coast was dotted with Greek colonies, the most prominent being Sinope, which served as a major port and administrative center.

Historically, Paphlagonia was inhabited by a people of mixed origins, with Hittite and later Phrygian influences. In the 7th century BCE, the Cimmerians are believed to have passed through the region. The Lydians also exerted control over Paphlagonia for a period. Following the collapse of the Lydian kingdom, it came under Persian Achaemenid rule. During the Hellenistic period, it was part of the Seleucid Empire and later the Attalid kingdom of Pergamon.

Roman conquest brought Paphlagonia under Roman administration, initially as part of the province of Galatia, and later as a separate province. It remained a relatively peaceful and prosperous area within the Roman Empire. Under Byzantine rule, it continued to be an important territory. Later, the region was incorporated into the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and eventually became part of the Ottoman Empire, where its distinct historical identity gradually faded. The name Paphlagonia is no longer in official use for any modern administrative division.