Detail in carved stone of Xanthos ruins

Xanthos, situated 46 km from Fethiye in the valley of the river Kocaçay (Xanthos river in antiquity), is the oldest and largest city of the Lycia province. According to the legend, the city´s founder was the hero Sarpendon, Hector´s friend. The inhibitions of Xanthos are known in history by setting the city on fire and committing suicide rather than fall into the hands of enemy. City was destroyed by Persian in the sixth century and it was later conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 B.C. Xanthus became the capital of Lycia in 167 B.C., the largest commercial and religious centre in Lycian Confederation uniting 23 cities. Under the Byzantines, become episcopal centre. During the 7th century A.D., after the Arab raids, it was ruined and abandoned.
(Location: Xanthos)

Uploaded by slavica on 5/4/2009, viewed 3360 times.