Galatia

Galatia, also GALLO-GRÆCIA, in ancient geography, a country of Asia Minor, separated from Bithynia and Paphlagonia on the N. by the Olympus range (Ala-Dagh) and the river Halys, and bounded on the E. by Pontus, on the S. by Cappadocia and Lycaonia, and on the W. by Phrygia. The country is an elevated plateau, 2000 to 3000 feet above sea-level, consisting for the most part of a rolling grassy region, that affords excellent pasturage for sheep and goats. The western half of Galatia is watered by the Sangarius, whilst the Halys traverses it in the middle and north-east. The climate is one presenting extremes of heat and cold. The boundaries of Galatia have, however, varied at different epochs of history. Originally it formed part of Phrygia. The name Galatia it received from a body of Gauls who, breaking off from the army of Brennus, when that chieftain invaded Greece, entered Asia Minor about 278 B.C., and were finally defeated in a great battle by Attalus, king of Pergamus, in 235, who thereupon compelled them to settle in Galatia. Remaining independent, however, they proved formidable foes to the Romans in the wars of the latter against the kings of Syria; and although subdued by the Roman general Cnæus Manlius in 189, they still continued to govern themselves, latterly under a single king. These Gauls, who became Hellenised shortly after settling in their new country, although they clung to their native language down to the 4th century, extended their power during the 1st century B.C. over Pontus, part of Armenia, Lycaonia, Isauria, and other districts. But on the death of King Amyntas in 25 B.C. the country was made a Roman province, which was further divided by Theodosius the Great into Galatia Prima, with Ancyra (Angora) for its capital, and Galatia Secunda, with Pessinus as chief town.