Ankara, the sprawling capital of modern Turkey, stands as a testament to a remarkable transformation. Often overshadowed by the imperial grandeur of Istanbul, the city possesses a deep and layered history that stretches back millennia. Understanding when was Ankara founded requires peeling back the layers of time, from its earliest settlements to its deliberate crafting as the political heart of the Republic of Turkey.
The Ancient Crucible: Phrygians and Beyond
Long before it was known as Ankara, the region was a significant crossroads of civilization. The most prominent ancient predecessor was the city of Gordias, which became the capital of the Phrygian kingdom in the 12th century BCE. This era is forever linked with the legendary king Midas, and archaeological evidence suggests that Gordias was a thriving center of trade and culture. The legacy of this period is physically embodied in the remains of the ancient citadel that still dominates the Ankara skyline today, a silent witness to the city’s formative centuries.
Hellenistic and Roman Transformation
Following the decline of Phrygia, Ankara was absorbed into the expanding influence of Alexander the Great and subsequently became part of the Hellenistic world. The Romans later conquered the region in 25 BCE, renaming the city "Ancyra." Under Roman rule, Ancyra flourished as a vital administrative and military hub within the province of Galatia. The city was adorned with classic Roman infrastructure, including temples, baths, and a forum, embedding a new layer of urban sophistication onto the ancient Phrygian core.
Throughout the Byzantine Empire, the city remained a strategically important fortified town, changing hands multiple times due to its location on the frontier. Its resilience through these eras underscores its enduring significance long before the founding of the modern republic. The question of when was Ankara founded is thus not singular, but cumulative, with each civilization building upon the last.
The Republican Rebirth: A Capital is Chosen
The most definitive answer to "when was Ankara founded" in its modern context points to 1923. This was not an act of organic growth but a monumental political decision. When the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed on October 29, 1923, the choice of capital was a deliberate break from the Ottoman past. Istanbul, with its deep Ottoman roots and vulnerability to foreign influence, was deliberately set aside in favor of a city that symbolized the new, secular, and forward-looking nation.
Ankara was selected primarily for its central location and its strong nationalist credentials during the Turkish War of Independence. Unlike the cosmopolitan Istanbul, Ankara was firmly in the hands of the revolutionary forces led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The city’s humble, post-war appearance became a virtue, representing the purity and determination of the new republic. The transfer of the capital began in 1923 and was largely completed by 1926, marking a pivotal moment in the city’s history.
From Pastoral Town to Modern Metropolis
In the decades following its designation, Ankara underwent a staggering metamorphosis. The dusty town of Angora, known for its goats and raisins, was rapidly transformed into a modern administrative and diplomatic center. Wide avenues, grand government buildings like the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and new residential districts began to replace the old city walls. The city’s population surged as people moved from the countryside and other parts of Anatolia to participate in building the new capital.
This deliberate act of "founding" a capital city in the 20th century is what most people refer to when they ask about Ankara's origin. It is a city born of ideology and planning, its very existence tied to the creation of the Turkish Republic. Today, it is a dynamic metropolis of over 5 million people, a center for diplomacy, education, and culture, proving that a city can be founded not just by ancient settlers, but by the will of a nation.
