Kazanlak

Rise to Power

The Decline of the Seleucid Empire

Antiochus VII marked the end of the strong Seleucid rulers, leaving only Syria within the shrinking empire’s grasp. Successors struggled to retain control, facing breakaways like Tyre and Sidon seeking independence before Roman intervention. Damascus evolved into the Arab Ituraean kingdom Mithradates VI of Pontus. A significant influence during this period was Queen Cleopatra Theos, daughter of Egypt’s Ptolemy VI, legitimizing three Seleucid monarchs through marriage.

Constant Struggles for Succession

Following Cleopatra’s death in 121 B.C., succession disputes plagued the Seleucid Empire. Between 96 and 83 B.C., six contenders vied for the crown simultaneously, showcasing the empire’s internal strife.

Missed Opportunities for the Parthians

Despite contributing to the Seleucid downfall, the Parthians, hindered by Saka inv

Clash with Rome

Roman Supremacy in the Mediterranean

After the Punic Wars, Rome emerged as the dominant power in the Mediterranean. The Roman province of Asia expanded through bequests and campaigns against Cilician pirates. Pergamun, under the last king Attalus III, bequeathed its kingdom to Rome, further solidifying Roman influence. By the end of the century, Roman protectorates included Egypt, Bithynia Rome’s Ascendancy in the East, Cappadocia, Galatia, and Paphlagonia. Mithradates VI of Pontus, however, viewed Rome as an obstacle to his ambitions.

Mithradates VI’s Early Reign

Mithradates VI inherited the Pontic throne at twelve in 120 B.C. Despite his young age, he proved a skilled organizer and expanded his kingdom by annexing Colchis (Georgia) and the Crimea in the last decade of the second century. Forming alliances with Parthia and Armenia, he married his daughter to Armenia’s Ki

Antiochus in Bactria and Beyond

In the following two years, Antiochus engaged in a prolonged struggle with his Bactrian counterpart, Euthydemus I, resulting in a stalemate. The prolonged siege of Bactra, the capital, proved fruitless, leading Antiochus to a crucial realization—he possessed the capability to defeat eastern adversaries, but lacked the resources to permanently garrison the vast region. Consequently, he opted for peace with Bactria. Euthydemus retained his crown, contributed elephants to the Seleucids Antiochus the Great and the Shifting Fortunes, and solidified the peace by having his son Demetrius marry Antiochus’s daughter.

Antiochus then ventured across the Hindu Kush into the Kabul valley, forging an alliance with one of the last Mauryan emperors of India, acquiring more elephants. Despite the campaign’s success, its strategic impact was limited, leaving Parthian and Bactria

Antiochus III’s Reversal of Fortunes

Antiochus III (223-187) emerged as the sole Seleucid monarch capable of halting the kingdom’s decline. Despite his efforts to rebuild Alexander’s empire, he faced an insurmountable obstacle—the rising power of the Roman Republic, which marked the beginning of the nation that would later dominate the New Testament era The Splendor of Pergamun.

Strategic Victories and Setbacks

Antiochus showcased his military prowess by reclaiming Atropatene under Seleucid rule in 220. Launching the Fourth Syrian War (219-217) against Egypt, he aimed to exploit the weaknesses of Egypt’s ruler, Ptolemy IV. Despite marching with his war elephants down the Levant, Antiochus suffered a decisive defeat at the Battle of Raphia (217), just south of Gaza. Forced to retreat to Syria, the Orontes River once again marked the border between the northern and southern kingdoms.

Am

Champions of Hellenism

Eumenes I Breaking Free and Expanding

Eumenes I (263-241), the nephew and adopted son, liberated Pergamun from the Seleucid rule. Forming an alliance with Ptolemy III, he seized a piece of Seleucid territory. His successor, Attalus I (241-197), achieved a remarkable victory against the Galatians Antiochus III’s Eastern Campaigns and Power Dynamics, posed challenges for the Seleucids, and meddled in Greek affairs. While officially advocating Hellenism in Asia Minor, many Greeks viewed him as a Roman tool as Rome began asserting itself in the region.

Pergamun’s Modest Monarchs

Despite their equal authority, the kings of Pergamun, including Eumenes I and Attalus I, lived more modestly compared to their counterparts. A key factor in their success was avoiding internal power struggles and family conflicts, unlike other Greek monarchies. Devoted to cultu

Estimate the amount of coal well. Spread coal pieces an additional ten centimeters from the left and right edges of the grill area. Don’t add coal afterward.

Don’t start grilling before reaching high temperatures.

Keep the grill clean. If it is dirty, the food will stick to the wire. It is best to brush it and wash with soap after each barbecue party. Also, before using it again, wash, dry, and place it on the barbecue.

To avoid meat, fish, or vegetables sticking to the grill, oil the wires before you start The Evolution of Mangal Tradition in Turkey.

Don’t turn them using forks. Use tongs.

Cook thick meat pieces by covering them.

Rest the grilled meat for a few minutes before serving.

Never leave your spot by the barbecue so that you can keep an eye on hazards and also check if the meat is cooked right.

Australia and New Zealand Know the Drill

The history of mangal in our country dates back to the 1400s. This setup, initially used for cooking coffee during the Ottoman Empire’s reign, gradually became an integral part of our culture and expanded to include the preparation of meat. Mangal setups are typically constructed from metal plates of steel, iron, copper, or brass, available in square and round types.

Mangal’s transformation into an essential part of picnic ceremonies aligns with the accelerated migration from rural areas to cities in the 1960s. Although the term ‘picnic’ originates from the French language, there’s no denying that we have surpassed the British and developed a deep love for picnics The Joyful Journey of Climbing Mountains. In the past, people preferred cold-cut foods for picnics to preserve freshness. Today, safety and cleanliness precautions are crucial in picnic areas due to the potential fire and pollutio

The Sweet Tiredness of Climbing

In the chilly days of March, we embarked on a mountain path leading to Barla, raindrops from the clouds above sprinkling on us. We took a break by a brook, absorbing the scent, color, and essence of the mountains, which overflowed with rain.

In small groups, we shared snacks from our backpacks under a tree or on rocks. Continuing our journey, we said, “The traveler should keep moving.” As we reached the small lake in Barla, the rain turned into a storm, and we became part of the steppe grass. We were completely soaked, transforming into a vibrant savanna. Our internal deserts, longing for water, rain, and blessings, turned green. Hills seemed to urge the next ones to guard us and bid farewells. Perhaps they whispered Barbecue Tips and Global Grill Culture, “Don’t leave us alone; come by from time to time.” Or maybe it was just my imagination.

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