century. Pisidia became an important early Christian centre. Paul the Apostle preached in Antioch on his first journey. He also visited the area in his second and third journeys. After the Emperor Constantine's legalization of Christianity in 311, Antioch in Pisidia (which has various namesakes, including the Patriarchate in Syria) played an important role as the Christian metropolitan see as well as being the capital of the civil province of Pisidia. Most Pisidian cities were heavily fortified at that time due to civil wars and foreign invasions. The area was devastated by an earthquake in 518, a plague around 541–543, and another earthquake and Arab raids in the middle of the 7th century. After the Muslim conquest of Syria disrupted the trade routes, the area declined in importance. In the 8th century the raids increased. In the 11th century the Seljuk Turks captured the area and founded the Seljuk Sultanate in Central Anatolia. Pisidia frequently changed hands between the Byzantine Empire and the Turks. In 1176, Sultan Kılıçarslan defeated Manuel Komnenos in the Battle of Myriocephalon (thousand heads). Notable people George of Pisidia (7th century) - Byzantine poet See also Ancient regions of Anatolia Pisidian language References Further reading Bean, G. E. “Notes and Inscriptions from Pisidia. Part I.” Anatolian Studies, vol. 9, 1959, pp. 67–117. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3642333. Accessed 24 Apr. 2020. Sources and external links Termessos on the Web, comprehensive guide to the striking Pisidian city Sagalassos on the Web, comprehensive guide to the striking Pisidian city Termessos Guide and Photo Album Sagalassos Guide and Photo Album Ancient Sagalassos: Pride of Pisidia Beyaz Arif Akbas: "Sagalassos: City of Fairies", Adrianapolis, Yalnizgoz Yay. 2010, . http://en.calameo.com/read/0002983841c7acaa28dc8 Ancient Greek geography Ancient Greek archaeological sites in Turkey Historical regions Historical regions of Anatolia History of Turkey History of Antalya Praetorian prefecture of the East Asia (Roman province)