The wars came to an end in 17AD when Tiberius conquered Cappadocia and
placed it under Roman rule. After the conquest, the Romans reconstructed
the road to the west that was of both commercial and military significance.
During the Roman era the area saw many migrations and attacks from the
east. The area was defended by Roman military units known as "Legions".
During the reign of Emperor Septimus Severus, Cappadocia's economy flourished,
but the capital, Kayseri (Caesera) was attacked by Sassanid armies from
Iran. Emperor Gordianus III ordered the construction of defensive
city walls.
During this time some of the first Christians were moving from the big
cities to villages. In the 4th century, when Kayseri was a flourishing
religious centre, the rocky landscape of Göreme was discovered.
Adopting the teachings of St. Basil, Bishop of Caesarea (Kayseri), the
Christians began to lead a monastic life in the carved out rocks of Cappadocia.
