Tarsus in Mersin. With a history spanning over 6,000 years, Tarsus has long been a significant stop for traders and a focal point of many civilizations. During the Roman Empire, it was the capital of the province of Cilicia. It was the scene of the first meeting between Mark Antony and Cleopatra, and the birthplace of the Apostle Paul. Much of this legendary account of the foundation of Tarsus, however, dates back to the Roman era, and it is therefore not considered reliable. The geographer Stra