Arima (Cilicia)

Arima was an ancient town located in Cilicia Trachea, a region in southeastern Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). Its exact location remains uncertain, though various scholars have proposed potential sites based on historical texts and archaeological surveys.

Historical sources mentioning Arima are sparse. It is primarily known from classical literature, particularly from the writings of authors like Ptolemy. Ptolemy, in his Geography, lists Arima as a town within the administrative region of Cilicia.

The name "Arima" may be related to indigenous Anatolian languages, though its etymology is not definitively established. Like many settlements in Cilicia, Arima likely experienced a diverse cultural influence due to its strategic location between the Mediterranean Sea and the Anatolian interior, and its incorporation into various empires throughout history, including the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman periods.

Because of the limited surviving information, the history and significance of Arima remain largely obscure. Further archaeological investigation in the region might shed more light on its role within the broader context of ancient Cilicia.