What is the history of the ancient city of Mazaca?

Mazaca, also known as 'Mazaka' or 'Matzaka', was an ancient city located in central Anatolia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. It was the capital of the region of Cappadocia during the Hellenistic period, and later became an important center of Christianity during the Roman and Byzantine eras.

The city was founded by the Hittites in the 2nd millennium BCE, and was later ruled by the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great, and the Seleucid Empire before coming under the control of the Roman Republic in the 1st century BCE. During the Roman period, Mazaca was an important commercial and cultural center, and was known for its production of fine textiles, ceramics, and metalwork.

After the Roman Empire split into two parts, Mazaca became part of the Byzantine Empire and was an important center of Christianity. The city played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in the region, and many important churches and monasteries were built there. However, the city was eventually abandoned and fell into ruin, and its population gradually moved to nearby Kayseri.