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Galip whoes poetic
languange is admired comes from İstanbul
The fresh and cleanest air is only seen
in Baghdat or Mardin
Ş.Galip
Thoroughout the history folks
settled in the area called Mesopotamia between Eughrates and
Tigris rivers. Many people came to the area and then migrated.
They mixed one another like clouds. After all they
 separated
again.But this combination and separation lasted very long.
Mesopotamia is really a unique place where many nations and
civilizations appeared, developed and mixed with each other.
Mardin settled on hill of a
mountain is one of the oldest cities of north Mesopotamia.
Mardin, having a magnificient view, surrounded by quite green
gardens down the hill looks as if it is waiting for Mesopotamia.
In about 8000 BC:, in the area
between 30-40 north latitudes and extending about 1500 km. from
Anatolia to Iran cereals were being cultivated and animal herds
were being fed.
According to what understand from
the bones discovered during the excavation works conducted in
the area , sheep and goats were being fed. As the common
synthesis of the books explainig the beginning of agriculture
first farmers and herders is this and as Mardin was between the
latitudes mentioned, we can say thatit has a settled past dating
back to 8000 BC.
With its archaeological,
ethnographic, architectural,
historical and visual values and
richness, Mardin is one of those
poetic cities of Southeastern
Anatolia which give observers
that the time is not running.
Archeological excavations and
researches conducted in the area
indicate that Mardin and its
vicinity had its first human
settlements back in 4500 BC. The
area is an outstanding open air
museum blending many remains
coming from the times of the
Subari, Hurri, Sumer, Akad,
Mittani, Hittites, Assyrians,
Schytians, Babylonians, Persians,
Macedonia, Abgar, Romans,
Arabians, Seljuk Turks, Artuklu
and the Ottoman. There are still
many points in the city where
archaeological excavations can
be made. Further efforts in this
line will give us a more
complete picture about the
history of the city and the area..
Mardin is a fascinating city
presenting on enarmous historical fan to its visitors
getting round the stone made narrow streets.
Source of the name "MARDİN"
There are lots of rumours about
the name "Mardin"; J.A. Dupr, J.Von Hammer says that the word "Marde"
was connected with the combotant trbe Mardes and that Mardes
were settled here by Arsedir (226-241) one of the Iranıan Rulers.
Similarity between the names of cities and tribes that Yezidi
people living
 in the region Mazıdağı were worshipping for satan
and that Mardes were worshipping for badness as continuonce of
an old Iran custom are proof of the fact that Mardes were
settled here. C. Ritter doupts this statement however much that
does he recount it.
ın so many sources the real name
of Mardin surpasses as "Merdin" . In fact many people living in
the area call it as " Merdin" . This name means "castles". The
reason they gave this name to the city is that there are many
castles in the province.Nest of birds, Castle of Eagle or Eagle
Nest in Eskikale village, the Arur Castle in the north east of
Deyrulzafaran Monestry and the erdemeşt castle are caused this
name to be given.
In the history may names were used
for Mardin. These are ; Erdobe, Tidu, Merdin, Merdö, Merdi,
Merda, Merde, Eagle Nest , Birds Nest, Mardin.
THE ROLE OF CIVILIZATIONS CITY, MARDİN,
IN HISTORY.
It is not known certainly who
established Mardin and when but according to old close-east
history its establishment dates back to Subari times.
In 4500 Bc. tribes called
Subarians were living in an area extending to Zagros Mountains
in the north Mesopotamia and to Habur and Balih in the
west. Subarians are known to have established the first country
in the history by making Tel Halief city, which was in the
south of Ceylanpınar and Rasulayn 40 km. to Mardin., their
centre. Subarians were known as preliminary Asurians by
historians and their country was called Subarto.
According to the results obtained
from excavation works made by German Archeologist Baron
Max Von Oppenheim in between 191 and 1929 , it was understood
that Subarians had been living in Mesopotamia in between 4500
and 3500 BC. and for this conclusion clays brought out between
Sumer and Babil layers
were showed as proof.
It was understood that Gırnavaz
had been a settlement region between 4000 and 7th century BC.
thanks to archeological excavations and research started in 1982
and lasted till 1991 in the Gırnavaz Fumulus. Late Uruk Era
dating back to 4000 BC. forms the oldest level of Gırnavaz
remains. Er Hanedanlar peryod on this culture level dates back
to 3000 BC. Architecture layers of Er Hanedanlar peryod are
mostly researched and evaluated for their tradition of burying
dead.
Also lots of personal
effects such as metal weapons, metal ornamental belongings, ornamental
belongings made of animal bones and valuable stones, seals , cult and
ceramic vessel samples were found in tombs.
A tribe living in the
south of Euphrates valley made the city their capital city by
invading south-east of Sinar . The region on which they had authority
was called Sumer. Sumerian King Lugarzer-kiz took control of Mardin in
his military expedition extending to White Sea in 2850 BC.
Sumerians who were in
an advanced level in town planning ,
irrigation and agriculture, let Mardin to Akads 30 year later in 2820
BC. upon losing their power because of extensive conquests.
Akads
beated Sumerians firstly by an army commanded by Sargon ( şerkino) and
then captured the Sumerian king Lugarzer-kiz and banished him to Nigara.
They extended their conquests as far as the Persian Gulf . Then Sargon’s
son Nıbamsın reached to Greek Islands by invading Meluke and Men and by
reaching to White Sea passing Syria and Palestine. In 2500 BC. Akads
established the Akad-Sumer State by coming to an agreement with
Sumerians.
Also it has been
determined that this language was similar to that of the tribe of Urartu
which established a powerful state in East Anatolia in between 9-6
centuries BC: and in other words that there was a relationship between
Urartions living in 1000 BC: Hunis whom we know from Akadion texts
dating back to 3000 BC.
This
means that are of the tribes living in Anatolia in 3000 BC. was Hurrians
firstly living in south east Anatolia and then expanding as for us north
Mesopotamia and north Syria. But it was understood from the findings
captured from the results of archaeological excavations and surface
researches conducted in the east Anatolia Region that culture of
Neolithic Era dating back to 3000 BC. were pertain to Hurrians. No
interruption has been determined even between the culture of old Bronze
Era and those of Calcolithic and Neolithic Eras.
Guttians coming from
north and north east put an end to Sargon dynasty. Urukian Uta-Kegal
exiled Guttians from his country but his vice chairman Ur-Nammu removed
Uta-Kegal from government by a stroke and established Ura III . dynasty
. Ur- Nammu contented only with the Sumerian – Acadian name by not
taking the name of the king of four regions . Sulgi who substituted Ur-
Nammu expanded his country straight to north and north east by battling
against Guttians and Hurrians. Susin who came to head after Sugin
blocked up the attacks coming from west.
Ibi- sin who won a
victory against Amurus could not prevent Elamians taking the city. From
now on Mardin was an Elamian city. Dark coloured Elamians coming from
south Iran (Susa) came to Mesopotamia White Amurus coming from Sami Race
and made the city Babil their centre. Hammurabi the 6th
person of the family Amuri made his reputation from the laws he made.
The Babil country was
established when Hammurabi invaded lands of Sumerians to the control of
Babil. Hammurabi took control of Mardin when attacking to north
Mesopotamia. (2200-1925 BC.)
The
 Hammurabi
Babil and the south Babil lived till the time of Itibıl who controlled
the area between 1931-1910 BC. but then in Itibıl’s sixth anniversary of
kingdom Hittites took Babil when invading Mardin.
Hittites
left Mardin after a year and Ari raced Midillians coming from Iran took
control of Mardin and its surroundings. Midillians who had controlled
the area for 500 years was taxed by Egypt for an unknown reason and a
Midilllian princess married to an Egypt pharaoh. When a civil war broke
out through Midillians in 1367 BC. Asurabalit the Asurian king took
control of Mardin and its surroundings.
Midillians wanted help
from Sup-pluliuma the king of Hittites when Asurobalit invaded Mardin so
, the king Luluilmiran sent soldiers for protection of Mardin when going
to Emet (Diyarbakır) for a military expedition.
In 1305
BC. Adadniran controlled Mardin and then in 1240 BC. Şalmansır the first
controlled Mardin and its surroundings. In 1190 BC. Some Ari raced
tribes coming from Anatolia invaded Mardin.
60 Years later passing
Sincar , Nusaybin and Mardin Tıplatpalasır the first took control of
Mardin and its surroundings after attacking to Kemecin protected by a
Maşiki army formed of 20.000 soldiersand beating them.
In 1060 BC. at the time
of Asurnasırbal the first Hittites beated Asurians at the Suburbs of
Gılgamış by uniting. When Asurians gained power they took control of
Mardin again in 890 BC. Tıplatninip the second had his epitaph built
near that of Lıglatnasırın the first by delivering to search of the
Tigris river. In 883 BC. coming to Mardin Tıplatninip accepted
ambassadors of Hittites and Hanikilyons kings at the city castle. At the
time of Asurians Mardin was called Erdobe. After having been an Asurian
city until 800 BC. Mardin became an Urartion city. At the time of
Urartion king Mimes and Asurian Mardin had been controlled by Urartions
for 50 years. The capital of Urartu was Tuspa(Van). The country was
gaining power with the each passing day. They even invaded Asurian
lands. Beating Şardur the Urartion king in 743 BC. at the suburbs of
Euphrates Tıplatninip the fourth (745-727 BC.) the Asurian king took his
old lands by taking Van.
Sityanis a member of Kemerions
controlled Mardin until 612 BC. But in 608 BC. Midillians coming from
Iran to control of this area. Meanwhile making an agreement with Aşkuzis,
Midillions attacked to Ninova city controlled by Nebuplasır the king of
Babil and then looted the city and shared it. Meanwhile when Anamis
living between Habur and Balih rivers gained their independence they
looted the Harran city by uniting with Aşkuzis and Kemerians Mardin was
in control of Nebuplasır the king of Keldo. Nebuplasır sent his son
Nebuhad- Nasır against them in order to get his old lands. Beating
Aşkuzis, Ermeyis and Aramis Nebuhad- Nasır taxed Harran. So, the suburbs
of Subaro joined to Babil lands. When Nebuhad- Nasır died Nebunit left
control of state to his son Belsasar. In 539 BC. control of Babil was
taken by Persians when Belsasar died in the war he made with Kureyş the
Persian king.
After
taking Egypt and coming to Mesopotamia the great Alexander passed from
Mardin to go to Iran. While passing he invaded these areas.
At that time Mardin
became a Macedonian city (335 BC.) after Alexander died in Babil on 28
May 323 BC. throne fights started between generals and at last the
static divided into four regions Mardin was left to General Slev-kos
called Nikanır because it was in the east region.(311 BC.)
After migratory
Iranians Perts gained their independence they took control of Pactoria
and the rations between Euphrates and Indus rivers. (237-131 BC.) The
kingdom of Parts formed of independent cities and each city had its own
king. At the time Midritad the first (171-139 BC.) the Partian King the
nations lands expanded as far as India and coasts of Tigris river and
Caspian Sea joined to lands of Partions. In a war Midritad called
Nikanor was enslaved by Di-mitrios the second.(138-128 BC. ) at those
times the kingdom of Urfa gained its independence. (131 BC.) So Mardin
and its surroundings joined to lands of kindom of Urfa (Abgarions)
In 249 AD. The Roman
king Filibos expelled D.C. Abgar from the country by preparing a
rebellion at his fifth anniversary of sultanate. Hapsioğlu Uralyonos was
apponted to the governorship of the city. Mardin joined to Roman
sovereignty because it was pertain to Urfa. In 250 AD. Dakiyos conquered
the Persian Nation . Meanwhile he restored Nusaybin which was damaged.
In 330
AD. The king worshipping for fire and sun and called Şad buhari comes
to Mardin Castle and stays here.
The ill king has a
Sumer-place built and lives in Mardin because a he gets better in the
stays in castle. Then he brings lots of soldiers and people from his
country the
pers and locates them
in Mardin. Many improvements are seen thanks to people whom they brought
in 442 A.D.
In 442 A.D. a cruel
plague epidemic makes the city an untolerable place After 100 years a
Roman General named Ursiyanos succeeds rebuilding the city in 47 years
and makes it possible for people to come to the city again. In this
process Dara the famous centre town of Hz. Omer’s generals happened.
Hamolanions who
controlled area in between 885-978 A.D. conquered the castle in 895.
Making city walls and restored some ports of the natural castle thermal
it possible for castle to lice longer. In 990 A.D. converting all lands
of Ham anions who could live only in Musul, Mervanions conquered Mardin.
Meanwhile building bazaars and mosques in Mardin and its surroundings
they activated the city from the standpoint of trade. The Mervanian
Nation, which lost power because of the attacks Turkish people Made to
Anatolia after Alparslans Malazgirt victory, was beated by Seljuk’s in
Nusaybin and then submitted to Seljuk’s in 1089 A.D.
Conquering Mardin in
1105 A.D. 11-Gazi Bey from Artikions makes the city capital of the
nation. Ilgazi bey gained great fame not only because he conquered Halep
but also
 because
he struggled against the Crusaders. Beating Antakya crusaders Prince
Roger he took control of Silvan. After Ilgazi’s passing away his sons
and nieces took control of the state and they won a great victory
against crusaders by taking Diyarbakır, Harput Castle and surroundings
and by beating crusaders , frankians, king of Urfa, Bilecik crusaders
chief and Bodvan the king of Jerusalem. By means of these events
Artukians established a powerful nation without any resistance.
In this nation’s 304
yeared sovereignty process many historical mosques, Moslem theological
schools, public baths, caravanserais were built and many of them were
restored.
In 1393 Artukian period
Timur pretended to conquer Mardin Castle but could not succeed it. So it
can also be said to bring “death pyramids” into being Timur started
hopefully or new siege preparations in order to taka control of Mardin
in 1395’s Ramadan month by setting his tent in Kızıltepe. Folk of Mardin
beated the most powerful ruler of the time by taking shelter in castle
and by resisting Timur’s harsh attacks.
Because
of this success of Mardin folk Artuklus attempt to restore Mardin. The
two-year siege of Karakoyunlus, who were getting powerful in the 15th
century to invade Mardin caused this attempts to limp.
The folk gave the
castle to Karakoyuns because they could not resist anymore. (1409 AD.)
Mardin state 61 years under the saveregnly of Karakoyuns. In this
period tribes defied against Karakoyun’s regime and sometimes they took
control of the state.
Akkoyuns who beated
Karakoyun in 1462 AD. took the control of castle. In this period, Kasım
Bey who came to Mardin as an admiral started restoring the city and the
castle Timur looted.He had the “ Kasım Paşa Medressah” , which
challenges to history and succeeds staying alive until our times, built.
Beating Akkoyuns in the
early 16th century Şah İsmail succeeded establishing a
powerful Shiite State. In that period he came to Anatolian and killed
those who did not accept Shiism. Seeing all these events the ruler of
Mardin gave the key of castle to Şah İsmail without resisting in order
to protect the city and the folk from looters…
Mardin’s joining to
Ottoman lands dates back to times Yavuz Sultan Selim organized a
military expedition the Egypt. With command of Yavuz Sultan Selim,
Bıyıklı Mehmet Paşa the governer of Diyarbakır and the Kurdish scholar
İdris-i Bitlis sieged the castle in 1516 for more than 9 months and
Ottoman troops coming from various cities and Kurdish leader’s attacked
to castle again and again.
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