Location of ancient Greek cities on the map of Crimea. Ancient cities of Crimea

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How tourist centre Crimea is known from the second half 19th century... The special popularity of the peninsula among the imperial persons and the highest foreign guests is evidenced by the large number of summer residences - palaces and villas, which to this day make up the architectural appearance of the Crimean cities. Time passes, and Crimea becomes not just a privileged place of rest, but a health resort of the all-Union scale. However, while retaining its mass character, this tradition has undergone transformations. Wild rest defeated organized sanatorium treatment.

Today, Crimea is perceived by many as the focus of sea resorts that popularize beach and leisure... At the same time, the rich and deep history of the peninsula is well-known, the traces of which are preserved by numerous monuments covering the widest time and thematic range. The seven diverse cities presented in our review can rightly be called museums that introduced their guests to the heritage of the ancient, multinational and generous land called Crimea.

A hero city, one of the three cities of federal significance in Russia, the largest city in Crimea in terms of population, one of the key naval facilities of the country, a large ice-free sea trade port - all these are the definitions of the legendary Sevastopol. The city has acquired particular importance since its foundation, when in 1783 it became the main base of the newly formed fleet. Russian Empire- the Black Sea Fleet. Sevastopol bravely withstood two defenses - during the Crimean War and during the Great Patriotic War, securing the unofficial status of the city of Russian glory.

Numerous attractions tell about the military-historical heritage of Sevastopol, including the world-famous panorama "Defense of Sevastopol 1854-1855", large-scale memorial complexes on the Malakhov Kurgan and Sapun Mountain, the Military-Historical Museum of the Black Sea Fleet, museum complexes Mikhailovskaya Battery, 35th Coastal Battery, Balaklava (underground submarine base). Near Primorsky Boulevard, on a granite cliff washed by the sea, rises main character Sevastopol - Monument to the Scuttled Ships.

On the Central (City) hill is the majestic Vladimir Cathedral, which has become the burial vault of the famous Russian admirals - Lazarev, Nakhimov, Kornilov, Istomin. Another significant place located in historic center Sevastopol, is the Aquarium Museum - the first in Russia and one of the oldest public marine aquariums in the world, founded in 1897 at the initiative of N.N. Miklouho-Maclay. Sevastopol squares and boulevards are beautiful, the appearance of which is made up of interesting historical and architectural objects. The city has an art museum, four professional theaters, two of which have academic status.

O ancient history southwestern part Crimean peninsula tell unique monuments located in the suburbs of Sevastopol: the ancient settlement of Chersonesos, the Genoese fortress Chembalo in Balaklava, the ancient Klimentovsky cave monastery in Inkerman. Not just a background for them, but an independent peculiar attraction is an unusually beautiful nature... The numerous picturesque bays of the city are especially attractive.

Sevastopol, surrounded on three sides by the sea, is not inferior to other Crimean resorts in terms of beach holiday, striking not only by the number, but also by the variety of beaches - from wild rocky to comfortable golden sandy ones.

Sight

Ancient, 1, Sevastopol

In ancient times, the central part of the Crimean peninsula was occupied by the fortress city of Naples-Scythian - the capital of the Scythian kingdom. Now the capital of the Republic of Crimea is located here - the glorious city of Simferopol. It has no outlet to the sea. The Salgir River, the longest river in Crimea, flows here.

Being the main transport hub of the peninsula, the city lives up to its name, which is translated from ancient Greek as "city of benefits", "city-gathering". However, Simferopol gathers not only random guests who perceive the city as an intermediate point on the way to the Black Sea coast but also history buffs. Indeed, whole eras have been imprinted in the appearance of the city. The memory of the late Scythian state is kept by the Scythian settlement of Naples, located on the Petrovsky rocks. A peculiar symbol of the Crimean Tatar city of Akmesjit, the predecessor of Simferopol, is the Kebir-Jami mosque, the oldest building in the city, known since the beginning of the 16th century. And, finally, the beginning of the Russian period in the life of the Crimean city is marked by the Orthodox churches of the late 18th - 19th centuries. Almost the same age as Simferopol is the Church of Constantine-Eleninskaya - the first christian temple cities. Ancient cathedrals - Peter and Paul Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral - admire their grandeur. An interesting cult building of the Karaites - Kenassa, erected at the end of the 19th century. During the Great Patriotic War, Simferopol took on a powerful enemy blow, having survived the German occupation. The feat of the defenders of the city was immortalized by the monuments placed in its parks and squares.

The most complete picture of the nature, history and culture not only of Simferopol, but of the entire Republic of Crimea, is given by the main museums of the city - the Central Museum of Taurida, the Crimean Ethnographic Museum and the Simferopol Art Museum. The city has the oldest theater of the Crimea - the Russian Drama Theater named after M. Gorky, as well as Musical Theatre Republic of Crimea, Puppet Theater and the world's only theater of the Crimean Tatars.

Simferopol is famous for its unique green areas. Can't be ignored old parks founded in the 18th-19th centuries. A special place among them is Botanical Garden Tavrichesky National University (Salgirka Park or Vorontsovsky Park) is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Simferopol. Young squares of the city are picturesque and cozy.

The easternmost and most ancient city of Crimea is the city of Kerch, whose age has exceeded a colossal figure - twenty-six centuries! One of the hills of the city - Mount Mithridates - is its historical and geographical center, a place where at the end of the 7th century BC. e. the future Kerch was born, and then - the ancient Greek polis Panticapaeum, which became in 479 BC. the capital of the Bosporus kingdom. The ruins of its Acropolis are now a unique monument of the Antiquity and one of the main attractions of Kerch.

In addition to Panticapaeum, on the territory of Kerch there are other ancient settlements - Nympheus, Tiritaka, Mirmekiy. Many artifacts found during the excavation of the fortified settlements are presented in the famous Kerch Museum of Antiquities. Monuments of funerary architecture of the 4th century have also survived to our time. BC. - Tsarsky and Melek-Chesmensky burial mounds.

Until 1774, that is, before the annexation of Kerch to Russia, the city was part of many states: the Byzantine Empire, the Khazar Kaganate, the Genoese Republic, Ottoman Empire... The Church of St. John the Baptist, the oldest Orthodox church on the Crimean peninsula, has become a witness of many historical events, the construction of which dates back to the period between the 8th and 9th centuries.

Kerch bears the honorary title of Hero City. During the Great Patriotic War, the front line passed through Kerch four times, in 1941-1944 the most severe occupation regime was established here. Soon after the liberation of the city, on the top of Mount Mithridates, a memorial complex was created - the Obelisk of Glory to the Immortal Heroes and the Eternal Flame.

423 steps of the Great Mithridatskaya Staircase lead to the top of the mountain, which is an outstanding architectural monument the first half of the 19th century. From the top observation deck the stairs offer a magnificent panorama of the city and the Kerch Strait.

Evpatoria, stretching along the Kalamitsky Bay off the western coast of the Crimean Peninsula, is known primarily as a resort town. Every summer season, the number of tourists on vacation is several times higher than its population. The huge popularity of the small town is undoubtedly due to the presence of beautiful beaches with golden sand and shallow seabed, a favorable climate (at the height of summer, the air temperature is usually kept at + 26-28 ° C). However, limiting coastal areas, it is impossible to form a holistic view of the city, the history of which goes back centuries.

On the site of Evpatoria from the V century. BC e. to the end of the II century. n. e. there was one of the ancient Greek colonies - Kerkinitida. The ancient settlement of the polis is a valuable archaeological complex, and the ruins of the city wall of Kerkinitida today are one of the main historical relics of Evpatoria. The Greek settlement was destroyed by the Scythians. The city here again emerged during the time of the Crimean Khanate. It was called Kezlev (Tur. Gozlev). The sonorous name Evpatoria, which is translated from Greek as "Noble", the city received after the Crimea became part of the Russian Empire.

Typical eastern city The Middle Ages is East End modern Evpatoria, the so-called Old city... The area is distinguished by narrow, crooked streets and ancient buildings. The age of some buildings of the historical part is more than 500 years, among them is the Khan-Jami cathedral mosque, founded in 1552.

A unique historical, architectural and religious monument in Yevpatoria - Tekie Dervishes - the only Muslim monastery in Crimea, founded at the end of the 15th - 16th centuries. Of no less interest is the complex of religious buildings of the early 19th century - the Keraim kenassas. Outstanding monuments of Russian temple architecture are pre-revolutionary Orthodox churches - St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Temple of St. Elijah.

The resort history of the city began at the end of the 19th century, when the first mud baths were built, where the healing mud of Lake Moinaki was used. Subsequently were opened medicinal properties mud and waters of other lakes of Evpatoria. There are several mineral springs, which, together with numerous other natural factors, makes the rest in Evpatoria incredibly useful.

On the South Bank A magnificent pearl shines on the Crimean peninsula - the beauty of Yalta. This is one of the most sunny resorts Crimea, a city with luxurious nature and rich cultural heritage... It is interesting that Yalta acquired the status of a city and the glory of a fashionable resort only in the 19th century, although its history began much earlier ...

Once on the site of the future city, on the picturesque coast of the Black Sea, there was a small village of Yialos (from the Greek - "coast"), founded in the 6th-5th centuries BC. Greek sailors. Like other cities of Crimea, the settlement passed from hand to hand more than once: from the Tauride Greeks to the Venetians, then to the Genoese, Byzantines; later it entered the possession of the principality of Theodoro, the Ottoman Empire, and, finally, Russia. Fundamental changes took place in the middle of the 19th century, when small city, in the recent past - a fishing village, drew attention to the highest statesmen. In the 1860s, the nearest Yalta suburb - Livadia - became the summer residence of the royal family. And by the end of the 19th century, Yalta was turning into a prestigious vacation spot for the Russian aristocracy. It was to this time that the creation of fabulous palaces (Livadia, Massandrovsky, Vorontsov), noble estates and mansions, organically inscribed in the mountain landscape, belong. In pre-revolutionary times, Yalta also attracted distinguished foreign guests. For example, the German oil industrialist Baron P. Steingel, who loved to relax in the Crimea, in 1912 built a Gothic castle on the edge of the Aurora Rock - the famous Swallow's Nest.

Without belittling the value and beauty of the palace and park ensembles, we will give the priority in the ranking of the region's attractions to the Yalta nature. Imprisoned in the stone embrace of the Crimean mountains, Yalta is open only to the sea and the sun. The terrain is extremely varied. There is mountain ranges, one of which includes the famous Ai-Petri peak; hills covered with dense pine and beech forests; deep gorges with waterfalls; valleys of mountain rivers, on one of which the most big waterfall in Crimea - the Uchan-Su waterfall with a height of 98 meters. Yalta, immersed in greenery, boasts an abundance of exotic plants: palms, cypresses, magnolias, wisterias grow here ...

One of the most beautiful places in the city and the most visited street in Crimea - Yalta Embankment. Today it is a developed resort area with numerous restaurants, cafes, attractions. On the embankment there is the president-hotel "Tavrida", previously the hotel of the same name, where Rimsky-Korsakov, Nekrasov, Chekhov, Bunin, Mayakovsky, Stanislavsky, Chaliapin stayed at different times. Not far from the hotel building there is an entrance to cable car"Yalta-Gorka", which makes it possible to enjoy the views of the city from a bird's eye view.

Outstanding figures of art and literature lived in Feodosia at different times - the world famous marine painter I.K. Aivazovsky, whose name Feodosiyskaya bears today Art Gallery; an outstanding writer, the brightest representative of neo-romanticism A. Green, to whom the literary-memorial museum in Feodosia is dedicated. About history, culture, natural wealth southeastern Crimea tells the story of the Feodosia Museum of Local Lore, which is the oldest provincial museum institution in Russia.

During the Great Patriotic War, the city survived the German occupation. Fierce battles were fought here, leading to significant destruction. For courage, endurance and mass heroism, Feodosia was awarded the honorary title - City of Military Glory.

The fortress city of Aluston has been known since the 6th century. The fortification, built by order of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, retained the role of an important coastal defensive point for all states that owned it in the Middle Ages: the Byzantine Empire, the Khazar Kaganate, the principality of Theodoro. Its strategic importance the fortress was lost after the conquest of the Crimea by the Turks. Remaining ruins ancient structure is one of the main attractions of the peninsula.

Like Yalta, by the end of the 19th century, Alushta turned from a quiet seaside village into a popular resort. Among the curious pre-revolutionary buildings - the mansion of General Golubov, known as the dacha "Golubka"; the mansion of the merchant N.D. Stakheeva, Palace of Princess Gagarina. In 1941-1944. the city was under German occupation. A number of monuments of Alushta are dedicated to military-historical events.

Soon after the end of the war, in the middle of the last century, a real tourist boom began in Alushta, when dozens of sanatoriums and boarding houses were opened here. Today the city still attracts tourists. On its territory there are a large number of beaches, attractions, there is an aquarium with a large collection of freshwater and marine fish, a dolphinarium, and interesting museums.

Alushta, located in a vast valley on the southern coast of Crimea, is surrounded by an amphitheater Crimean mountains... From the west, the high massif Babugan-Yayla rises above the city, in the north-west - Mount Chatyr-Dag, in the north - Demerdzhi. The mountain slopes are covered with dense beech and pine forests. In the picturesque surroundings of Alushta, the shooting of the famous Soviet films "Prisoner of the Caucasus", "Hearts of Three", "Ships storm the bastions" and others took place.

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In the sixth century BC. e. on the Crimean peninsula, the first settlement of the ancient Greeks was founded, this was the beginning of the Great Greek colonization in the Northern Black Sea region. The ancient Greeks were attracted here by fertile lands, favorable conditions for cattle breeding and trade, they were not afraid of either the cold climate, or the hostility of the Scythians and Taurus, who inhabited the territory of Crimea at that time. Today, on the site of some ancient Greek cities, there are ruins of fortress walls, the remains of residential and utility rooms, museums with antique items that are carefully preserved and are the attractions of the Crimean peninsula.

Kerkinitida - antiquity under the dome

One of the first ancient Greek cities based on the western coast of the Crimean peninsula was. The city was founded on the territory of modern Evpatoria at the turn of the 6th-5th centuries BC and until the end of the 4th century it existed as a separate state that actively traded, engaged in agriculture, various crafts and minted its own coins. In the period IV-II centuries BC. e. Kerkinitida was part of Chersonesos and was engaged in the supply of bread, after which Kerkinitida was destroyed as a result of the Greco-Scythian wars.

The remains of the ancient Greek colony are kept under a glass dome in Evpatoria on Duvanovskaya street, on the Gorky embankment and in the city's local history museum. Here tourists and residents of Yevpatoria can see the foundations of Kerkinitida residential buildings and household items of the ancient Greeks.

Kalos Limen - a historical attraction in the village of Chernomorskoe

In the IV century BC, an ancient Greek city was founded on the territory of the modern village of Chernomorskoye. The inhabitants of the city were engaged in agriculture, trade and crafts. Due to the favorable geographic location and the convenient bay of Kalos Limen was often raided by stronger neighbors and by the end of the 4th century it became part of Chersonesos. In the II century BC. e polis was ruled by the Scythians, but after a few decades it again became a Greek city. At the beginning of our era, Kalos Limen was finally destroyed.

Today, on the site of the ancient city, there is a historical monument and "Kalos Limen", where you can see the ruins of an ancient Greek fortress, residential buildings, the remains of the central gates of the city and a slab main street, on which the traces of chariots have been preserved.

Kalos Limen

Chersonesos Tauric - a monument of world importance in Simferopol

In the middle of the first century BC. e. on the southwestern coast of the Crimean Peninsula was laid. For about two thousand years, this ancient Greek city was a political and cultural center nearby Greek colonies, it went down in history Ancient Greece, Roman Empire and Byzantium. It was here that the Grand Duke Vladimir was baptized, in honor of this event on former square Chersonesos, the Vladimir Cathedral was erected.

Today, the ruins of this ancient city are historical monument of world importance and are under the protection of UNESCO. "Chersonesus Tauric" includes several expositions and a large research center.

Panticapaeum - archaeological museum in Kerch

In the first half of the 6th century BC, in the eastern part of Crimea, on the territory of the city of Kerch, an ancient Greek polis was founded. The city developed rapidly and already in the 5th century became the capital of the Bosporus state, uniting the nearest cities. Panticapaeum was a craft, trade and cultural center of the Bosporus, where gold, silver and copper coins were minted, and the total area of ​​the policy was about 100 hectares.

The ruins of Panticapaeum are located in the center of Kerch on the slopes and the summit of Mount Mithridat, there is also a historical and archaeological museum, exhibits of which are amphorae painted ceramics, coins, epigraphic documents and other archaeological finds from the excavations of Panticapaeum.

Kharax - fortress and palace in Gaspra

In the 1st century AD, after the victory of the Roman army over the Tauro-Scythian army, which held Chersonesos under siege, the Romans built a fortress-city on Cape Ai-Todor. The fortress was not only a haven for the Roman garrison, but also the center where the main sea and land routes converged. Today, only ruins of stone and brick and a reservoir decorated with mosaics are left of it.

The remains of the Charax fortress are located on the territory of the Dnipro sanatorium, where the famous Charax palace, built for Georgy Mikhailovich Romanov at the beginning of the 20th century, is also preserved. Excursions are held on the territory of the sanatorium, and in the palace there is the main building for guests.

Scythian Naples - archaeological reserve in Simferopol

In the III century BC on southeast coast On the Crimean peninsula, the city of Naples was founded - the capital of the Late Scythian state. Solid structures in the Greek style, stone living quarters and utility rooms, craft workshops, grain pits found by archaeologists make it clear that the late Scythians were no longer a nomadic people, but were actively engaged in farming, cattle breeding and crafts.

In the archaeological reserve "" you can see the remains of the city's fortress wall, visit the mausoleums of the ancient Scythian kings and learn about the culture and life of the Scythians.

If you are planning a trip to Crimea, do not forget to take care of booking accommodation in advance, because in tourist season Crimean hotels are very popular, and be sure to include antique sights in your itinerary. Here you can not only touch the real antiquity, but also listen interesting stories tour guides and broaden your horizons. Travel and learn!

The first graying on the territory of modern Crimea appeared in the prehistoric period, as evidenced by numerous excavations. The peninsula, located at the intersection of sea routes, has always been of interest to various peoples.

Crimea at different times became a colony of the ancient Greek civilization, nomadic peoples settled on the territory, the power changed several times. The names of the territory of the peninsula also changed.

What was the name of the territory in the Antique period?

To answer the question as the Crimea was called earlier, it is necessary to refer to the history of the peninsula from the most ancient times. According to ancient sources in the first millennium BC. Taurus lived here, hence the first name - Tavrida(or modified variants with the ending –я or –ka instead of –yes).

If we analyze the origin modern names cities of the peninsula, for example, Simferopol (formerly Scythian Naples), Feodosia (from the Greek "given by God"), it can be understood that the lands of modern Crimea were once occupied by Greek colonists, immigrants from Hellas.

At that time, several cities of the Bosporus (present-day Kerch), Kerkinitida (present-day Evpatoria) and others were formed. Answering the question, as the Crimea was called in antiquity, it can be noted that the territory of the peninsula was divided into two parts: the democracy of Chersonesos, which included the western lands, and the Bosporus autocratic state.

Crimean Tatars and the Ottoman Empire

Since the 13th century, Crimean Tatars have settled on the territory and form their own state. Administrative capital in those days there was Old Crimea... Historians argue about the origin of this word. The main version of the formation of the name is from the Turkic "qirim", which means "moat" in translation, and, indeed, Old Crimea at that time was surrounded by deep ditches.

As part of imperial Russia

In 1774, Catherine II achieved the independence of the peninsula from the Ottoman state, and in 1783 the Crimea was annexed to Russia. The Tauride province was formed.

Greek city-states of Crimea:
construction history, location, public order

The formation of the Greek city-states in the Crimea is an achievement of the Great Colonization of the Hellenes, which took place on the lands of the peninsula between the 8th and 6th centuries. BC e. Sometimes it is believed that the process of development of the Mediterranean coast and the Black Sea region is better designated by the term "resettlement". However, what made the Greeks leave their native places and go where they had to start life anew?

First, there was a population explosion in Greece during this period of history. The overpopulation of Hellas gave rise to the beginning of migration processes. Secondly, the Greeks were sorely lacking economic land. In addition, the resettlement processes were associated with trade expansion, the search for products and sources of raw materials, scarce or, at all, did not exist in Greece.

All this is complemented by military, social and ethnic reasons. The Greeks were threatened by the Lydians and Persians, and there were significant differences between the Greeks, generated by belonging to different strata of the population and interethnic tensions.

At first, the Hellenes, pampered by the warm sun, did not like the relatively cold local climate, and the inhabitants of the Crimea inspired fear. They called the Black Sea by the phrase "Pont Aksinsky", which means "inhospitable sea". However, they soon changed their point of view and the prefix "a" was transformed into "ev". This is how the Greek toponym Pontus Euxinsky ("hospitable sea") appeared, and the history of Crimea began to acquire a different character.

The Greek city-states of Crimea were built by immigrants from Miletus. Less often - by immigrants from Pontic Heraclea. However, scientists managed to find traces of the habitation of the Greeks on the peninsula, who arrived from Colophon, Ephesus and Theos. The area of ​​the Greek migrants was formed: the South-East of Crimea, the coast of the Kerch Strait and the territory of the Taman Peninsula.

Greek city-states and settlements in the Northern Black Sea region:

The political structure of the Crimean ancient settlements was similar to that in mainland Hellas. The Greek city-states of Crimea were predominantly slave-holding republics with a democratic way of life. The polis model allowed the city and its choir to coexist organically, making such settlements independent and viable units.

The Greek city-states of Crimea had three branches of government traditional for our days, they could solve all internal problems and independently choose state bodies. Legislative power was represented by the people's assembly, the executive - by collegia and magistrates. Adult men were allowed to solve problems of state importance. Slaves, foreigners and females had no rights. Courts in the Greek colonies of Crimea were highly specialized.

The first Greek city grew up in the east of Crimea, its name is Panticapaeum.

Kerch. Ruins of Panticapaeum - the first Greek city-state on the territory of Crimea	In the center of the picture, K.F. Bogayevsky "Feodosia" (1930) - Quarantine Hill - the supposed place of foundation of the Greek city-state, the traces of which are now hidden by the layers of subsequent civilizations. On the Quarantine Hill, there is the Genoese fortress of Kafa.

Over time, several more large settlements: Chersonesus, Kerkinitida, Kalos-Limen, Nympheus, Theodosia.

The Greek city-state of Chersonesos: the ruins of a residential quarter (Gagarinsky district of Sevastopol)	Ruins of the Greek city-state of Kalos-Limen (north-western coast of Crimea)

The largest Greek state association of the Crimean peninsula of ancient times - the Bosporus kingdom - appeared as a result of constant confrontations with local barbarians, it will be discussed separately.

The Greek city-states on the Crimean peninsula can be roughly divided into two parts - those that fell under the influence of Chersonesos at a certain historical moment and those that found themselves in the sphere of interests of Panticapaeum. The latter, starting as independent city-states, united in a union, or rather, they were forced to do this by necessity - it was necessary to resist local tribes and develop trade with the metropolis. Later, these policies became part of the Bosporus kingdom of the Spartokid dynasty. What are these cities?

Greek city-states influenced by Panticapaeum

If the capital was founded in the 7th century BC, then located a little south of the Nymphea - at the beginning of the 6th. It was one of the largest and most significant Greek city-states.

Founded by the Milesians, it soon fell under the influence of Athens and, accordingly, entered the Delosian symmachia, which was eventually defeated in the fight against Sparta. Nymphaeus detached himself from Athens and passed on his fate to the Spartokids and the Bosporus kingdom. More than once the city was destroyed (especially catastrophically - by the Goths), more than once artifacts were taken away in our time, so archaeologists did not get so much. But what remains allows us to judge the greatness of the city and its architectural splendor.

Slightly north of Nympheus, in the same period as the latter, another polis was founded by the Milesians - Tiritaka. This Greek city-state had an industrial and economic focus, which is confirmed by excavations. It was surrounded by walls only in the 3rd century AD. It was repeatedly destroyed both by the enemy and by earthquakes. Under the Byzantines, during the reign of Justinian I, a basilica was erected in Tyritac, the ruins of which were examined during an archaeological expedition.

Among all the Greek city-states of the Crimea, Acre is the most attractive, all because this policy was almost completely submerged as a result of transgression, a rise in the water level of the Black Sea. This city was not as big as Panticapaeum, its main building was the port. As a result of underwater archaeological expeditions, walls, towers, foundations of buildings, many small objects and rich collection coins.

From the west, the port Greek city-states were constantly raided by nomads, especially after the fall of the Pontine kingdom. To protect the policies from these raids from the depths Kerch Peninsula the city of Ilurat was built in the 1st century AD. Active excavations were carried out after the war; massive walls were discovered, which were rebuilt more than once. Underground passages, wells, towers - Ilurat was built using all modern fortification knowledge. However, the fortress did not last long, already at the end of the third century AD the defenders left it.

The history of Crimea since antiquity is constant search comrades-in-arms and a regular struggle for survival. Who were the Crimean Greeks afraid of? Their relations with the Taurus inhabiting the peninsula were changeable. At first, the Crimean aborigines were perceived by the Hellenes only as a pirate people capable of killing a stranger in order to sacrifice him. In the places of the Taurian settlement, practically no items made by the Greeks have been found. This means that there were no trade ties between peoples.

Samples of molded ceramics with black walls were found in ancient city-states, which suggests the existence of marriage relations between young representatives of the Taurus tribes and the sons of the colonists. A tombstone from the 5th century was also found in Panticapaeum. BC e., located above the tomb of a respected brand. This means that male Taurus sometimes lived in the Greek cities of the Crimea. Scientists believe that, as a rule, they had the status of slaves, but there were still exceptions.

With their Scythian neighbors, the Greek settlers tried to live peacefully, brought rich gifts to the barbarian kings, and they ceded their territories to them. At times, short-term military confrontations nevertheless arose between them and the frightened Greeks built defensive fortresses. One of these wars marked the end of the existence of the Scythian kingdom.

During the excavations of some Greek cities, surgical instruments made of bronze and bones were found. These artifacts suggest that there was a fairly developed medicine in the Crimean antique settlements of immigrants from Greece.

O high level cultural life in the Greek city-states of the Crimea is evidenced by the presence of the same theaters as those that existed in the historical homeland of the Hellenes. Up to 3,000 people could be in such structures at the same time. Scientists have found and musical instruments used by the Greeks in Crimea: lyre, trumpet, flute, cithara.

The people who inhabited the Greek city-states of the Crimea professed polytheism and polytheism. They worshiped pagan gods who personified the forces of nature. Very soon, more attention began to be paid to Apollo, the protector of immigrants.

In Chersonesos, the cult of Artemis, the patron goddess of this polis, was honored. They made sacrifices in the form of fish, domestic animals, agricultural products. Deities were worshiped in shrines, in temples, at home altars. Clay copies of sacrifices were often brought there. In the III century. n. e. paganism in the Crimea began to be replaced by Christian teaching.

Let's draw some conclusions. The ancient colonization of Crimea began in the 8th-7th centuries. BC e. and the Greek city-states existed until the invasion of the Huns, which took place in the 4th century. n. e.

All the settlements founded by people from Miletus, Heraclea of ​​Pontus, Colophon, Ephesus and Theos were republics with three branches of government. Among them, only one monarchy stands out - the Bosporan Kingdom. The first Greek city in Crimea is Panticapaeum. It appeared in the 7th century. BC e.

A century later, the Nymphaeus was built. Then Tiritaka, Acra, Ilurat, Kitay, Cimmerik, Pormfiy, Mirmekiy, Zenonov Chersonesos, Theodosia grew up. Soon they all fell under the influence of Panticapaeum and became part of the Bosporus kingdom.

In the VI century. BC e. the Greeks erected Tauric Chersonesos, which managed to conquer Kerkinitis and Kalos-Limen. The Crimean Greeks got along with the Taurus, Scythians, Sarmatians, who also lived on the peninsula. From the 1st century. BC e. the authorities of the Greek city-states of the Crimea were forced to submit to Rome. Chersonesus existed longer than all other Greek city-states and became a stronghold of Byzantinism in the Crimea.

INLIGHT / olegman37

The history of Kerch is more than 2.5 thousand years old. This city has a large number of Byzantine villages, monuments Bosporan and Scythian kingdoms, Tmutarakan. Even a gravity water supply system, built during the Byzantine Empire, has been preserved in Kerch.

There is an Orthodox church in Kerch - ancient working temple, built by the Byzantines about 1400 years ago. There is even such a version (it was put forward by the German historian Theodor Mommsen back in the 19th century) that the famous leader of the slaves, Spartacus, who raised an uprising in the Roman Empire, was born in Kerch.

The Scientific Council of the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) recognized Kerch as the most ancient city in Russia. This was announced by the director of the East Crimean Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve Tatyana Umrikhina.

“After the report of the head of the Panticapaeum expedition, Vladimir Tolstikov, the scientific council recognized that the city of Panticapaeum (modern Kerch) was founded in 610-590. BC e. The corresponding paper has arrived at the East Crimean Nature Reserve, and now we are preparing documents for the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Government of Russia, so that this date would be officially fixed ”,- said T. Umrikhina and added: by their decision, scientists confirmed the status of Kerch as ancient city country.

Tatyana Viktorovna clarified: Kerch is also the capital of the first state in the country.

“Panticapaeum was the center of the Bosporus kingdom. Therefore, we can talk about the most ancient statehood in territory of Russia», -
she stressed.

Before the reunification of Crimea with Russia, the Dagestan Derbent was considered the most ancient city in the country: in September 2015, it solemnly celebrated its 2000th anniversary.