Galatia [key] [Gr.,=Gaul], ancient territory of central Asia Minor, in present Turkey (around modern Ankara). It was so called from its inhabitants, the Gauls, who invaded from the west and conquered it in the 3d cent. b.c. The name applies to the Gallic territory that was originally composed of parts of Phrygia and Cappadocia. Attalus I checked (230 b.c.) the advance of the Gauls and reduced the size of Galatia. The region was subjected (189 b.c.) by the Romans. The name was also used for the Roman province, formed in 25 b.c. At first the Roman province was much larger than old Galatia, but it was reduced (a.d. 72) to a smaller scope.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Ancient History, Middle East
