Asia Minor

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

a name given by the ancients to that portion of Asia that lies between the Black Sea and the eastern basin of the Mediterranean. The term means "Smaller Asia." It is geographical, rather than political. Asia Minor has never been an independent country or had a history of its own. Before the beginning of historical times, the Aegean coast was occupied by Greek colonies. The nearest approach to a local government was that of Lydia, under Croesus, 560-546 B. C. The cities and provinces of Asia Minor were conquered by Cyrus for the Persians and by Alexander the Great for the Greeks. The region has passed practically without resistance under the government of the Romans, of the Byzantine empire, and the Arabs. Since the Crusades it has been occupied by the Turks, and it is now a part of Turkey in Asia. The population is composed chiefly of Turks, Greeks, Jews, and Armenians. If the yoke of the "unspeakable" Turk could be removed, there is no reason why this should not be one of the most prosperous regions of the world. See Troy ; Croesus ; Armenia ; Syria ; Ephesus ; Pergamus ; Angora ; Smyrna ; Meerschaum ; Licorice; Figs 2026 Editor's Note: 'Smaller Asia' is now Anatolia , the Asian bulk of the Republic of Turkey — no longer a mere geographic term but the heartland of a nation of some 85 million. Its soil holds Troy, Ephesus and the seven churches of Revelation, layered ruins of the many empires this entry lists. (Ed: BR 2026-07-04)