The Tur ‘Abdin plateau is located in the south-eastern part of Turkey, near the Syrian border.The northern and eastern end of this area is demarcated by the Tigris River. The cities of Mardin, Dara and Nisibis determine the western and southern edges of the plateau. For the next 1,000 years after the conquest of Alexander the Great Tur ‘Abdin was in the zone of the Roman-Greek and Persian influence. The inhabitants, representing a variety of cultures and religions, contributed to the development of the region as well.