RIVERS, COASTS, HARBORS AND CITIES

The extent to which rivers played a role during the establishment of cities, and later, in social, economic and political development has been somewhat overlooked. This is especially the case in Anatolia where cities founded close to rivershave been researched, such as Cestrus (Aksu), Eurymedon (Köprüçay) and Maiandros (Büyük Menderes). These riverside cities have demonstrated a dynamic and fruitful development, much in the same way as cities located on the coast. Indeed, the traffic involved in trade and political development with the sea and the interior is of considerable importance. If one compares river and the life associated with them in areas outside Asia Minor, such as the Rhein, the Guadalquivir and the Phasis river systems, some common characteristics can be identified within these regions. For example, rivers were not only associated with the timber industry, agriculture and livestock, but were also an important means of transportation for the pottery industry. In addition, rivers served both as a frontier and an indicator of ethnic loyalty to the people living around them.