Leucosyri

Leucosyri (from Ancient Greek: Λευκόσυροι, or Λευκοσύριοι / Leucosyroi, or Leucosyrioi), also known as Leuco-Syrians (Leucosyrians) or White Syrians, were an ancient people in central Anatolia, during the period of Classical Antiquity. They were mentioned by ancient Greek geographer and historian Strabo (d. in 24 CE) in his "Geography".[1] During the later Hellenistic period, they were eventually hellenised. In Greek language, term Leuco-Syri means: White Syrians. It is believed that they lived in regions of Pontus, Cappadocia, Cilicia and other parts of central Asia Minor. During the Mithridatic Wars, the Leucosyrians were recruited as mercenaries into the Pontic army to fight off the Roman army of Sulla and later Pompey.