Halicarnassus

Halicarnassus was an ancient Greek city in Caria, in Anatolia. It was located in southwest Caria, on an advantageous site on the Gulf of Gökova, which is now in Bodrum, Turkey. The city is most famous for the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, also known as the Tomb of Mausolus, which gave us the word "mausoleum". This grand tomb, built between 353 and 350 BC, was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Unlike most Greek city-states, Halicarnassus kept a monarchical system of government even when kings were no longer common. While nearby Ionian cities fought against Persian rule, Halicarnassus stayed loyal to the Persian Empire. This changed when Alexander the Great captured the city after the siege of Halicarnassus in 333 BC.

Originally called Zephyria, the city began as a settlement on an island that later joined the mainland. Over time, it grew to include several Carian settlements and the older town of Salmacis. Today, the site is marked by the Castle of St. Peter, built much later by the Knights of Rhodes in 1404 AD.

Etymology

The name Halicarnassus has an interesting history. The ending "-assos" in the ancient Greek name suggests that the city's name came from an older, pre-Greek language. Researchers think that part of the name, "-karnassós," might be related to a word in the Luwian language meaning "fortress." This idea points to the city possibly borrowing its name from the Carian language, which was spoken in the area along with Greek. The Carian name for the city might have been written as alos k̂arnos in old inscriptions.

History

The city of Halicarnassus has a long and interesting history. During the Late Bronze Age, Mycenaean tombs were found nearby, showing that people lived there long ago. In the Iron Age, Halicarnassus was a Dorian colony, meaning people from Greece settled there. Important figures like Medusa, Athena, and Poseidon appeared on its coins.

The Hekatomnid dynasty ruled the city under the Persian Empire. Hecatomnus started the dynasty, and his son Mausolus moved the capital to Halicarnassus. Mausolus and his sister Artemisia built many beautiful buildings, including a huge tomb for Mausolus, known as the Mausoleum. This tomb became one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

When Alexander the Great came to Caria, Ada, a local leader, gave him control of the fortress at Alinda. After a tough battle, Halicarnassus was set on fire by retreating Persians. Though the city never fully recovered, it remained an important place through history.

Archaeological notes and restorations

The ancient city of Halicarnassus is now partly occupied by the modern town of Bodrum, but its walls can still be traced. Many important buildings, like the Theatre of Halicarnassus, can also be located.

Excavations in 1857 led by Charles Newton helped uncover the ruins of the famous Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Researchers were able to restore its design, which had five parts: a base, a row of columns, a pyramid shape, a pedestal, and a chariot statue on top. The base was covered in carvings and statues, and the columns likely had statues between them. The pyramid led up to a statue of Mausolus, the ruler for whom the tomb was built. Many artists have tried to recreate how the mausoleum looked, but each version has its own ideas about the details.

See also House of Charidemos.

Notable people

Halicarnassus was home to many famous people from ancient times. One of the most well-known was Artemisia I, the Queen of Halicarnassus, who fought in the Battle of Salamis. The city was also the home of Herodotus, a Greek historian who wrote many stories about the past. Other notable figures included poets, athletes, and leaders who made their mark in various fields.