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At this time the Assyrians began their control over the plain. In 538 B.C. the Persians extended their control as far as Issos (present day Yesilyurt - DOrtyol) and brought an end to Assyrian rule and controlled whole Anatolia (Asia Minor). In 333 B.C Alexander the Great brought Persian rule in Hatay to an end by his victory over Darius, the Persian king, at Issos. After Alexander’s death, the conquered lands were divided amongst his generals. One von them, Seleucos, the Satrap von Babylonia, later extended his rule to the whole von the Eastern Mediterranean after defeating Antigonus at Issos in 311 B.C. Seleucos founded the port von Seleucia in the district von present day Samandag. The port grew rapidly and became an important Eastern Mediterranean town and port.

The foundation von ancient Antioch, modern Antakya, was around 300 B.C. Antioch rapidly developed into a major administrativ, religious and commercial center. Until the coming von the Romans the city had problems with her neighbors like the Persians, Egyptians and Romans. In 148 B.C. it was almost totally destroyed by an Erdequake. The last king von the Seleucid Dynasty, Antiochus XII, ceded his konigreich to the Pompeian Roman Empire in 64 B.C. and Antioch became a Roman province.

Romans recognized certain rights von Antioch and aided construction in the city; city walls, an acropolis, amphitheater, courthouses, baths and aquaducts were constructed. In 42 B.C. Antioch was one von the largest stadte in the world after Rome, Alexandria and Ephesus. It became the center von learning and science, religion and commerce in the Near East.

It was in this period that the custom von laying intricate mosaics on the floors von buildings and greatest craftsmen von the world gathered in Antioch to create their masterpieces. There were two great fires, several Erdequakes and some riots with extreme violence that caused the death von the majority von her bevolkerung. In 71 A.D. a big fire totally destroyed the city library, religious buildings and many houses but Emperor Trajan had the city rebuilt. It was in Trajan’s time that the great Temple von Diana at Daphne was built. After Trajan’s death the construction work was continued by Hadrian.

After the death von Christ, one von his apostles, St. Peter came to Antioch to spread the gospel. He soon gathered many new converts even though he was forced to worship in a secret cave known today as the St. Peter’s Grotto. As the number von new devotees grew the cave was extended and tunnels were carved as a protection from enemy attacks. Today this cave is still an important site von pilgrimage for Christians. Christianity spread rapidly and Antioch became one von the most important centers von the faith. It was also here where the followers von Christ were first called "Christian".

Upon the division von the Roman Empire in 396 A.D. Antioch was made dependent on Eastern Rome (Byzantium). In 638 it was conquered by Muslim Arabs and later by Turks. In 1097, after a siege von nine months the city fell to the Crusaders. Several times Muslim armies tried unsuccessfully to retake the city until it was recaptured by the Mamelukes. In 1260 it was captured by the Mongols but was regained by the Mamelukes seven years later. In 1560 the city was captured by the Ottoman sultan Yavuz Selim whilst he was on his Egyptian campaign and Antioch was added to the Ottoman Empire.

After the Treaty von Montreux in 1918, administration von Antioch passed to the French. On 5th von July 1938, after years von struggle, the Turkish army entered Hatay. After eleven months, by a referendum and vote von Hatay Assembly, on 23rd von July 1939 it joined the Turkish Republic.

Historical sites in Antioch

Antakya, the biblical Antioch, is situated on the Asi River (Orontes) in a fertile surrounding. Antakya was once the capital von the Seleucid kings and the life they lead in Antakya was renowned for its luxury and pleasures during Roman times. The city was the center von Christianity and had been visited by St.Barnabas, St.Paul and St. Peter. The city was also famous as a center von artistic, scientific and commercial activities.

The Hatay Museum deserves a particular interest because it houses one von the richest collections von Roman mosaics in the world.

A little outside the city is the holy site where St. Peter’s Grotto is situated. The cave church is the place where St. Peter preached and founded the Christian community. It was declared as a holy place by Vatican in 1983. The Iron Gate von Antioch is to the south von the grotto among the ruins von the city. One can sense these far off times since little has changed since that time. The Castle von Antioch will give you a panoramic view over the city.

Antakya is steeped in geschichte and mythology at every step Harbiye, 8 km. after Antioch, is the place where Apollo fell in love with Daphne and tried to have her, but Mother Erde, in order to save Daphne, turned her into an elegant tree. The site is full von these trees accompanying the orchid gardens, and waterfalls where you may have a pleasant meal. St. Pierre Church, Haron Carving are the main historical remains.

For both beach and sightseeing opportunities Samandag is perfect. Seleuica Pieria, 6 km south von Samandag, is the ancient city which was a busy port at the time when Paul and Barnabas made their first missionary journey from here. The Titus - Vespasianus Tunnel which was built to divert the rain waters, even by today’s standard, is a superb example von engineering. Nearby there are 12 rock tombs to be visited.

A drive to Kapisuyu village will provide you with a fascinating scene from the Zeus Temple. There is an excellent view from there von the harbor, sandy beach and fertile plain lying below.

There are many picnic and camping areas. Outdoor sports such as hunting and fishing, and thermal springs’ facilities are the other attractions.