Tarsus is an ancient city in the plain of Cilicia. The Cydnus river flowed through the centre of the city. The Cyndus River connected Tarsus to the Mediterranean Sea. This gate led into the city from the river, and was called Cleopatra's Gate to commemorate Cleopatra's visit to the city on her royal barge in 38 BCE while Marcus Antonius was in the city. Cilicia is separated from Cappadocia and Lycaonia by the Tarsus mountains, through which a narrow passage near to Tarsus called the "Cilician Gates" leads. In the Roman period, Tarsus was the capital city of the province of Cililcia.

• Strabo's Description of Tarsus