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The area has been ruled by different cultures throughout the centruies. Although the date of the first settlement is not exactly known, Mazaka gained importance when the area was under Phyrigian rule. The City (Mazaka), 22 km from Kultepe, is the origin of todays Kayseri. Mazaka was the capital of Cappadocia when the region was ruled by Persians. This the Iranian culture, influenced the area and dominated it over the centruies.Persian domination was defeated by Macedonia, through the death of Alexander the Great. The Cappadocia gained its freedom during the period when Ariarathes III was ruling the area. The name Mazaka was then changed to Eusebia. Cappadocia became a Roman provice in the firs century.
The city was named Caesarea by Archeologist, in honor of Roman Emperor Tiberius.During the partition of the Roman Empire, the city came first Roman rule and then han under Byzantine Empire.
Later on, the city became an important center for Christianity in middle of the 6th century. A.D. was occupied by Shah Spur, the Persian Sasani King. Arab hordes continuously attacked the town between the 7th and 9th centruries. The city was called Kayeriye by Arabs. Following the Malazgirt victory in 1071, Izzettin Kilicarslan II added Kayseri to the Turkish territories. In 1075, for a short period, it was ruled by Danishments and in 1515, during the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim it belonged to the Ottoman Empire. In 1923, Kayseri became the province of Republic of the Turkey, and officially became Kayseri. Today, modern Kayseri is situated in the area 2 km.to the North of Mazaka, the original settlemen called Eskisehir (old town) or Eski Kayseri (the old Kayseri).
