Erzincan

==History==

==History==

===Name===

[[Acilisene]], the ancient region that is now Erzincan, was the site of the [[Peace of Acilisene]] by which in AD 387 [[Armenia]] was divided into two vassal states, a smaller one dependent on the [[Byzantine Empire]] and a larger one dependent on [[Sassanid|Persia]].{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=riW0kKzat2sC&pg=PA22 |first=Ronald Grigor |last=Suny |title=The Making of the Georgian Nation |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-25320915-3 |page=22}}{{cite book|title=The Heritage of Armenian Literature: From the Oral Tradition to the Golden Age|url=https://archive.org/details/heritageofarmeni00ajha |url-access=registration|year=2000|publisher=Wayne State University Press|location=Detroit|isbn=9780814328156|page=[https://archive.org/details/heritageofarmeni00ajha/page/378 378]|editor1=A. J. Hacikyan |editor2=Gabriel Basmajian |editor3=Edward S. Franchuk |editor4=Nourhan Ouzounian }} This is the name (Ἀκιλισηνή in [[Greek language|Greek]]) by which it is called by [[Strabo]] in his ''Geography'', 11.4.14. The etymological origin of the word is disputed, but it is agreed that the city was once called Erez. For a while it was called [[Justinianopolis in Armenia|Justinianopolis]] in honour of [[Emperor Justinian]]. In more recent [[Greek language|Greek]] it has been called as Κελτζηνή (''Keltzene'') and Κελεζηνή (''Kelezene'').Raymond Janin, ''v. Celtzene ou Celezene'' in [https://archive.org/stream/dictionnairedhis12baud#page/68/mode/2up ''Dictionnaire d'Histoire et de Géographie ecclésiastiques''], vol. XII, Paris 1953, coll. 130–131

[[Acilisene]], the ancient region that is now Erzincan, was the site of the [[Peace of Acilisene]] by which in AD 387 [[Armenia]] was divided into two vassal states, a smaller one dependent on the [[Byzantine Empire]] and a larger one dependent on [[Sassanid|Persia]].{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=riW0kKzat2sC&pg=PA22 |first=Ronald Grigor |last=Suny |title=The Making of the Georgian Nation |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-25320915-3 |page=22}}{{cite book|title=The Heritage of Armenian Literature: From the Oral Tradition to the Golden Age|url=https://archive.org/details/heritageofarmeni00ajha |url-access=registration|year=2000|publisher=Wayne State University Press|location=Detroit|isbn=9780814328156|page=[https://archive.org/details/heritageofarmeni00ajha/page/378 378]|editor1=A. J. Hacikyan |editor2=Gabriel Basmajian |editor3=Edward S. Franchuk |editor4=Nourhan Ouzounian }} This is the name (Ἀκιλισηνή in [[Greek language|Greek]]) by which it is called by [[Strabo]] in his ''Geography'', 11.4.14. The etymological origin of the word is disputed, but it is agreed that the city was once called Erez. For a while it was called [[Justinianopolis in Armenia|Justinianopolis]] in honour of [[Emperor Justinian]]. In more recent [[Greek language|Greek]] it has been called as Κελτζηνή (''Keltzene'') and Κελεζηνή (''Kelezene'').Raymond Janin, ''v. Celtzene ou Celezene'' in [https://archive.org/stream/dictionnairedhis12baud#page/68/mode/2up ''Dictionnaire d'Histoire et de Géographie ecclésiastiques''], vol. XII, Paris 1953, coll. 130–131

In the [[Armenian language]], the 5th-century ''Life of Mashtots'' called it ''Yekeghiats''.{{cite book|title=The Heritage of Armenian Literature: From the Oral Tradition to the Golden Age|year=2000|publisher=Wayne State University Press|location=Detroit|isbn=9780814328156|page=[https://archive.org/details/heritageofarmeni00ajha/page/169 169]|editor1=A. J. Hacikyan|editor2=Gabriel Basmajian|editor3=Edward S. Franchuk|editor4=Nourhan Ouzounian|url=https://archive.org/details/heritageofarmeni00ajha/page/169}} In the more recent past, it was known in [[Armenian language|Armenian]] as Երզնկա (''Yerznka'').{{cite web|title=AGMI identified new unknown photo documents on Armenian genocide|url=http://www.genocide-museum.am/eng/01.07.2010.php|publisher=[[Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute]]|access-date=18 October 2013|quote=...in the region of Yerznka (modern day Erzincan)...}}

In the [[Armenian language]], the 5th-century ''Life of Mashtots'' called it ''Yekeghiats''.{{cite book|title=The Heritage of Armenian Literature: From the Oral Tradition to the Golden Age|year=2000|publisher=Wayne State University Press|location=Detroit|isbn=9780814328156|page=[https://archive.org/details/heritageofarmeni00ajha/page/169 169]|editor1=A. J. Hacikyan|editor2=Gabriel Basmajian|editor3=Edward S. Franchuk|editor4=Nourhan Ouzounian|url=https://archive.org/details/heritageofarmeni00ajha/page/169}} In the more recent past, it was known in [[Armenian language|Armenian]] as Երզնկա (''Yerznka'').{{cite web|title=AGMI identified new unknown photo documents on Armenian genocide|url=http://www.genocide-museum.am/eng/01.07.2010.php|publisher=[[Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute]]|access-date=18 October 2013|quote=...in the region of Yerznka (modern day Erzincan)...}}

===Christian history===

In the settlement of Erez, at a yet unidentified site, there was a pre-Christian shrine dedicated to the Armenian goddess [[Anahit]]. A text of [[Agathangelos]] reports that during the first year of his reign, King [[Trdat of Armenia]] went to Erez and visited Anahit's temple to offer sacrifice. He ordered [[Gregory the Illuminator]], who was secretly a Christian, to make an offering at its altar. When Gregory refused, he was taken captive and tortured, starting the events that would end with Trdat's conversion to Christianity some 14 years later.Vreg Nersessian, "Treasures From the Ark", 2001, p114-115 After that conversion, during the Christianisation of Armenia, the temple at Erez was destroyed and its property and lands were given to Gregory. It later became known for its extensive monasteries.

In the settlement of Erez, at a yet unidentified site, there was a pre-Christian shrine dedicated to the Armenian goddess [[Anahit]]. A text of [[Agathangelos]] reports that during the first year of his reign, King [[Trdat of Armenia]] went to Erez and visited Anahit's temple to offer sacrifice. He ordered [[Gregory the Illuminator]], who was secretly a Christian, to make an offering at its altar. When Gregory refused, he was taken captive and tortured, starting the events that would end with Trdat's conversion to Christianity some 14 years later.Vreg Nersessian, "Treasures From the Ark", 2001, p114-115 After that conversion, during the Christianisation of Armenia, the temple at Erez was destroyed and its property and lands were given to Gregory. It later became known for its extensive monasteries.

It is hard to tell when Acilisene became a [[bishopric]]. The first whose name is known is of the mid-5th century: Ioannes, who in 459 signed the decree of [[Patriarch Gennadius I of Constantinople]] against the [[simony|simoniacs]]. Georgius or Gregorius (both forms are found) was one of the Fathers of the [[Second Council of Constantinople]] (553), appearing as "bishop of Justinianopolis". Theodorus was at the [[Third Council of Constantinople]] in 681, signing as "bishop of Justinianopolis or the region of Ecclenzine". Georgius was at the [[Photius|Photian]] [[Council of Constantinople (879)]]. Until the 10th century, the diocese itself appears in none of the ''[[Notitiae Episcopatuum]]''. At the end of that century, they present it as an autocephalous archdiocese, and those of the 11th century present it as a [[metropolitan see]] with 21 [[suffragan]]s. This was the time of greatest splendour of Acilisene, which ended with the decisive defeat of the [[Byzantine]]s by the [[Seljuk Turks]] at the [[Battle of Manzikert]] in 1071. After the 13th century, there is no mention of diocesan bishops of Acilisene and the see no longer appears in ''Notitiae Episcopatuum''.Michel Lequien, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=0agp0mJFG_sC christianus in quatuor Patriarchatus digestus]'', Paris 1740, Vol. I, coll. 435–436 No longer a residential bishopric, Acilisene is today listed by the [[Catholic Church]] as a [[titular see]].''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), p. 823

It is hard to tell when Acilisene became a [[bishopric]]. The first whose name is known is of the mid-5th century: Ioannes, who in 459 signed the decree of [[Patriarch Gennadius I of Constantinople]] against the [[simony|simoniacs]]. Georgius or Gregorius (both forms are found) was one of the Fathers of the [[Second Council of Constantinople]] (553), appearing as "bishop of Justinianopolis". Theodorus was at the [[Third Council of Constantinople]] in 681, signing as "bishop of Justinianopolis or the region of Ecclenzine". Georgius was at the [[Photius|Photian]] [[Council of Constantinople (879)]]. Until the 10th century, the diocese itself appears in none of the ''[[Notitiae Episcopatuum]]''. At the end of that century, they present it as an autocephalous archdiocese, and those of the 11th century present it as a [[metropolitan see]] with 21 [[suffragan]]s. This was the time of greatest splendour of Acilisene, which ended with the decisive defeat of the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]] by the [[Seljuk Turks]] at the [[Battle of Manzikert]] in 1071. After the 13th century, there is no mention of diocesan bishops of Acilisene and the see no longer appears in ''Notitiae Episcopatuum''.Michel Lequien, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=0agp0mJFG_sC christianus in quatuor Patriarchatus digestus]'', Paris 1740, Vol. I, coll. 435–436 No longer a residential bishopric, Acilisene is today listed by the [[Catholic Church]] as a [[titular see]].''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), p. 823 In 1318-1319, the metropolitan see of Acilisene was given over to Theodosius of [[Malatya|Melitene]], since he "had been deprived of the consecrated seat by [[Anatolian beyliks|the foreigners]]". While in previous centuries, Acilisene, along with Cortzene and [[Taron (historic Armenia)|Taron]], had 22 bishoprics, by the early 14th century, its only significant possession was the monastery of Ci. Thereafter, the metropolitan see remained vacant and had disappeared by the 15th century.[[Speros Vryonis|Vryonis, Speros]] (1971). [[iarchive:declineofmedieva0000vryo|The Decline of Medieval Hellenism in Asia Minor and the Process of Islamisation from the Eleventh through the Fifteenth Century. Berkeley: California University Press.]] pp. 290, 291

===High and Late Middle Ages===

In 1071 Erzincan was absorbed into the [[Mengucek|Mengüçoğlu]] under the [[Seljuq dynasty|Seljuk]] Sulëiman [[Kutalmish]]. [[Marco Polo]], who wrote about his visit to Erzincan, said that the "people of the country are Armenians" and that Erzincan was the "noblest of cities" which contained the see of an archbishop.{{cite book|last1=Polo|first1=Marco|editor1-last=Yule|editor1-first=Sir Henry|editor2-last=Cordier|editor2-first=Henri|title=The Travels of Marco Polo|date=1993|publisher=Courier Corporation|location=New York|isbn=0486275868|page=45|edition=[Repr. of the 3. ed.,] London 1903.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RhE5ZUcZ_Q4C|chapter=Description of the Greater Hermenia}} In 1243 it was destroyed in fighting between the Seljuks under [[Kaykhusraw II]] and the [[Mongol]]s. However, by 1254 its population had recovered enough that [[William of Rubruck]] was able to say an earthquake had killed more than 10,000 people. During this period, the city reached a level of semi-independence under the rule of Armenian princes.{{in lang|hy}} Baghdasaryan, Ye. M. "Երզնկայի հայկական իշխանությունը XIII-XIV դարերում" (The Armenian Principality of Yerznka in the 13th–14th Centuries). ''Lraber Hasarakakan Gitutyunneri''. No. 2., 1970, pp. 36–44.

In 1071 Erzincan was absorbed into the [[House of Mengüjek|Mengüjek]] under the [[Seljuq dynasty|Seljuk]] Sulëiman [[Kutalmish]]. [[Marco Polo]], who wrote about his visit to Erzincan, said that the "people of the country are Armenians" and that Erzincan was the "noblest of cities" which contained the see of an archbishop.{{cite book|last1=Polo|first1=Marco|editor1-last=Yule|editor1-first=Sir Henry|editor2-last=Cordier|editor2-first=Henri|title=The Travels of Marco Polo|date=1993|publisher=Courier Corporation|location=New York|isbn=0486275868|page=45|edition=[Repr. of the 3. ed.,] London 1903.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RhE5ZUcZ_Q4C|chapter=Description of the Greater Hermenia}} In 1243 it was destroyed in fighting between the Seljuks under [[Kaykhusraw II]] and the [[Mongol]]s. However, by 1254 its population had recovered enough that [[William of Rubruck]] was able to say an earthquake had killed more than 10,000 people. During this period, the city reached a level of semi-independence under the rule of Armenian princes.{{in lang|hy}} Baghdasaryan, Ye. M. "Երզնկայի հայկական իշխանությունը XIII-XIV դարերում" (The Armenian Principality of Yerznka in the 13th–14th Centuries). ''Lraber Hasarakakan Gitutyunneri''. No. 2., 1970, pp. 36–44.

Erzincan was one of the most pivotal towns in [[Safavid dynasty|Safavid]] history. It was there, in the summer of 1500, that about 7,000 [[Qizilbash]] forces, consisting of the Ustaclu, [[Shamlu]], Rumlu, Tekelu, Zhulkadir, [[Afshar tribe|Afshar]], [[Qajars (tribe)|Qajar]] and Varsak tribes, responded to the invitation of [[Ismail I]],Faruk Sümer, ''Safevi Devletinin Kuruluşu ve Gelişmesinde Anadolu Türklerinin Rolü'', Türk Tarih Kurumu Yayınları, Ankara, 1992, p. 15. {{in lang|tr}} who would aid in him establishing his dynasty.

Erzincan was one of the most pivotal towns in [[Safavid dynasty|Safavid]] history. It was there, in the summer of 1500, that about 7,000 [[Qizilbash]] forces, consisting of the Ustaclu, [[Shamlu]], Rumlu, Tekelu, Zhulkadir, [[Afshar tribe|Afshar]], [[Qajars (tribe)|Qajar]] and Varsak tribes, responded to the invitation of [[Ismail I]],Faruk Sümer, ''Safevi Devletinin Kuruluşu ve Gelişmesinde Anadolu Türklerinin Rolü'', Türk Tarih Kurumu Yayınları, Ankara, 1992, p. 15. {{in lang|tr}} who would aid in him establishing his dynasty.