To reach the book "THRACIANS TO KIRDJALIS"
Thrace is a historical region located in the southeast of the Balkan Peninsula, today divided between Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria. Ancient sources describe it as a vast area stretching from the Danube River in the north to the Black Sea in the east, the Aegean Sea in the south, and Macedonia in the west. This strategic location has historically made Thrace a bridge between Europe and Asia. Rivers such as the Maritsa, Tundzha, and Arda, as well as mountains such as the Rhodopes and Strandzha, have shaped the region, shaping both settlement and cultural life. This densely forested region was gradually opened to agriculture and witnessed organized settlements, particularly during the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods.
Thrace is notable not only for its natural beauty but also for its multilayered social and cultural structure. While the ancient Thracian tribes are known for their warrior traditions and religious rituals, it was shaped by Greek urban culture in the Hellenistic period and by the administrative and legal order of the empire in the Roman period. Religious centers developed under the influence of Christianity in the Byzantine period, and Islamic culture brought a new dimension to the region during the Ottoman period. Thus, Thrace possesses a rich cultural heritage bearing the traces of different civilizations and shaped by ethnic and religious diversity.
Because the Thracians left no written sources, information about them has survived through the accounts of Greek and Roman writers. Homer's Iliad mentions the Thracian king Rhesus, while Herodotus describes the Thracians as divided into numerous tribes, unable to unite and thus unable to become a major power. The Thracians were characterized by their warlike nature, fondness for booty, and polygamy. Strabo reports that some tribes, such as the Odrysians, were organized into kingdoms, while mountain tribes like the Bessians and Satras preferred to live freely and independently. Xenophon, on the other hand, describes the Thracians as brave but undisciplined warriors, notorious for their sudden raids and cavalry raids. The region that can be considered the heartland of the Thracian tribes is the modern-day Rhodope Mountains. The Satrai, Maedi, Bessoi, and Dii tribes living there eventually became known collectively as the "Bessoi". These communities have also been identified by various names, including "Mountain Thracians," "Sword-bearing Thracians," and "Kingless Thracians." However, the name "Thracian" was not used as a local identity among these communities; it has rather found its place in the classifications of modern historians.
The immortality of the soul and the idea of rebirth held a significant place in the Thracian faith. Orphic doctrine, particularly attributed to Orpheus, left a deep mark on Thracian religious life. Deities such as Dionysus and Bendis played a central role in their rituals, and sacrificial traditions employed products considered "purer" than animals. Archaeological evidence indicates that they often cremated their dead and placed the ashes in urns (linked to the Urnfield culture of Central and Northern Europe), and also built monumental tumuli. Economic life was based on agriculture, animal husbandry, mining, and mercenary activity. Thracian villages were generally situated on defensive hilltops, and the social structure was shaped by the control of a warrior aristocracy. Animal hides, wool, and leather were prominent in their clothing, and pipes, lyres, and drums were prominent in their music. In conclusion, ancient Thrace presents the image of a civilization composed of warrior tribes, yet also possessing rich religious traditions and cultural diversity. Their legacy has survived to this day through both archaeological findings and the narratives of ancient writers.
With Roman rule, Thrace was incorporated into the empire's administrative system and adapted to the provincial system. The region played a crucial role in Rome's military strategy, becoming both a border guard protecting the Balkan passages and an economic center with its rich natural resources. Roads, bridges, and urbanization accelerated during the Roman period, and agricultural colonies were established in addition to military garrisons. This allowed Thrace to become more closely connected to the empire's trade networks. Over time, the Thracian people came under the influence of Roman culture. Roman law, urban planning, and the spread of Latin transformed social life. However, local beliefs and traditions did not disappear completely; the cults of Thracian deities such as Dionysus, Sabazios, and Bendis survived into the Roman period, blending with Roman religion. Thracian warriors serving in the Roman army continued their warrior traditions and contributed to the expansion of the empire.
After the division of the Roman Empire, Thrace became one of the most important regions of Byzantium. The rise of Constantinople as capital transformed Thrace into the heart of the empire. The region gained strategic importance as a natural defensive line protecting the capital and a source of grain and other agricultural products. It also served as a buffer zone protecting Byzantium's northern borders against Slavic and other nomadic communities. During the Byzantine period, Christianity became a fundamental element of social and cultural life in Thrace. Monasteries, churches, and religious centers proliferated rapidly in the region. This led to a rise in religious identity in daily life and politics. However, during the weakening of Byzantium, Thrace was subject to constant invasions and migrations; Slavic and Bulgarian incursions, in particular, profoundly influenced the region's cultural landscape. Over time, cultural differences emerged between the Eastern and Western Rhodopes, marked by both religious and ethnic diversity.
With Ottoman rule, Thrace became one of the empire's most strategic regions. The rise of Istanbul as the capital directly integrated Thrace with the central city. The region was opened to agricultural production through the timar system, and villages and towns were organized systematically, serving both military and economic functions. Thrace also became the scene of a multicultural mix of diverse ethnic and religious communities from Anatolia and the Balkans. During this period, mosques, madrasas, inns, and bridges were built, establishing the Ottoman urban planning style in the region.
In the 18th century, local rebellions emerged in Thrace as central authority weakened. In this context, the Kirdjali people emerged as a significant force challenging the Ottoman provincial order. These armed groups, organized mostly around the Rhodope Mountains, challenged state authority and exerted pressure on the population. The fundamental reasons for the Kirdjali rebellions include the weakening of central authority in the Ottoman Empire and the abolition of the Janissary and Sekban systems within the framework of military reforms. These groups sometimes played an active role in local power balances, acting independently against Ottoman rule. One striking feature is the similarities between the Thracian tribes of the Rhodopes mentioned in ancient sources and the Kirdjali people mentioned in Ottoman sources. These similarities are crucial for understanding the identity transformation in the region from antiquity to the present.
The book, "Thracians to Kirdjalis," concludes by emphasizing that Thrace is a multilayered geography influenced by different civilizations throughout history. From the ancient Thracians to the Ottoman period, the region has witnessed constant migrations, wars, cultural exchanges, and identity transformations. This diversity has also shaped the formation of today's Thracian identity. Preserving historical memory and passing it on to future generations is crucial for the continuation of the region's cultural heritage. Furthermore, it is stated that new archaeogenetic and historical research has provided more objective and multifaceted perspectives on Thrace's past.
REFERENCE: Inal, Erhan. "Thracians To Kirdjalis: History of Thrace". Google Publishing, 2025. Access: Google Books.