ZILE

historically Zela town, east-central Turkey. Lying in a fertile plain crossed by the Yesil River, the town is at the foot of a hill crowned by a ruined citadel. Zela, the ancient temple state of Pontus, was famous as the site where Julius Caesar defeated Pharnaces II, son of Mithradates VI of Pontus, and said of his victory, Veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conquered). The town is an important local commercial and agricultural market for such regional products as cereals and sugar beets. The latter are sent to the refinery at nearby Turhal. Zile is linked by highways with Tokat and Amasya and is near the Sivas-Samsun railway. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 46,323.