Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
campaign, aimed at creating a Kurdish state in Turkey's southeast. With an iron-fisted re-
sponse from the Turkish military, the southeast effectively endured a civil war.
Following Turgut Özal's sudden death in 1993, various weak coalition governments
and a cast of figures flitted across the political stage. The religious Refah (Welfare) Party
formed a government, but made Islamist statements that angered the military for trans-
gressing the constitutional ban on religion in politics. Faced with what some dubbed a
'postmodern coup', the government resigned and Refah was disbanded.
A new political force arose in the new millennium: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's moderately
Islamic Justice & Development Party (AKP) has overseen societal reforms and capitalised
on the improved economy. The AKP has sought to pursue Turkey's entry to the EU; end
military intervention in politics; and improve relations with neighbouring countries.
Timeline
1800 BC
The Hittites establish their great capital at Hattuşa and create the first Anatolian em-
pire.
547 BC
Cyrus, emperor of Persia, invades Anatolia, defeating the Lydians and extending con-
trol to the Aegean.
323 BC
Alexander the Great dies in Babylon and a flurry of civil wars soon divides his empire.
133 BC
King Attalus III dies, bequeathing Pergamum to Rome; a beachhead for Rome's em-
brace of Anatolia.
129 BC
Ephesus becomes capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor.
527-65 AD
Emperor Justinian builds the Aya Sofya, codifies Roman law and extends the Byzanti-
ne Empire's boundaries.
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