Historical Figures

The historical figures of Turkey include philosophers, queens, generals and mapmakers, and many left a mark you can still visit. At Ephesus, UNESCO records that Lysimachos, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, founded the new city in the fourth century BC. Our page on Alexander the Great follows his route through Anatolia. Then read about Heraclitus of Ephesus before you walk the ancient city of Ephesus.
The Roman emperors came too, and UNESCO lists Hadrian’s Temple among the buildings of the city center. Our portrait of Hadrian follows his journeys and gates. Other pages cover Herodotus of Bodrum, Piri Reis and his world map, and the Ottoman sultans and queens of Istanbul.