bodyclass | geography |
---|---|
abovestyle | background:#DEB887; |
subheader | Ancient Region of Anatolia |
above | Lycia (Λυκία) |
label1 | Location |
data1 | Southern Anatolia |
label2 | State existed |
data2 | 15-14th c. BC (as Lukka)1250–546 BC |
label3 | Language |
data3 | Lycian |
label4 | Historical capitals |
data4 | Xanthos |
label5 | Roman province |
data5 | Lycia |
data8 | }} |
Lycia (; Lycian: Trm̃mis; ) was a region in Anatolia in what are now the provinces of Antalya and Muğla on the southern coast of Turkey. It was a federation of ancient cities in the region and later a province of the Roman Empire. The Lycian League founded in 168 BC was an early federation with democratic principles; these later influenced the United States Constitution.
The borders of Lycia varied over time but at its center was the Teke peninsula in south-western Turkey. It was bounded by Caria to the west and north west, Pamphylia to the east, and Pisidia to the north east. The region is mountainous and densely forested region with few large valleys. The mountains are the westernmost part of the Taurus mountains in particular the Akdağ and Beydağı mountains whose peaks can exceed 3000 meters. Inland is the Elmalı basin. The major rivers are the Eşen Çay (ancient Xanthos river), Demre Çay (ancient Myros river), Arykandos, and Alakir Çay. The area is known for steep gorges and underground rivers.
Turkey's first waymarked long-distance footpath, the Lycian Way, follows part of the coast of the region.
The principal cities of ancient Lycia were Xanthos, Patara, Myra, Pinara, Tlos and Olympos (each entitled to three votes in the Lycian League) and Phaselis. Cities such as Telmessos and Krya were sometimes listed by Classical authors as Carian and sometimes as Lycian.
Ancient names can sometimes be difficult to match with modern features: the Cragus and Anticragus mountains on the west side of the Xanthos river seem to include modern Babadağ.
Though the 2nd-century AD dialogue Erōtes found the cities of Lycia "interesting more for their history than for their monuments, since they have retained none of their former splendor", many relics of the Lycians remain visible today, especially their distinctive rock-cut tombs in the sides of cliffs in the region. The British Museum in London has one of the best collections of Lycian artifacts. Letoon, an important center in Hellenic times of worship for the goddess Leto and her twin children, Apollo and Artemis, and nearby Xanthos, ancient capital of Lycia are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Lycia was frequently mentioned by Homer as an ally of Troy. In Homer's Iliad, the Lycian contingent was said to have been led by two esteemed warriors: Sarpedon (son of Zeus and Laodamia) and Glaucus (son of Hippolochus). Elsewhere in Greek mythology, the Lycian kingdom was said to have been ruled by another Sarpedon, a Cretan exile and brother of the king Minos; Sarpedon's followers were called Termilae, and they founded a dynasty after their conquest of a people called the Milyans. As with the founding of Miletus, this mythical story implies a Cretan connection to the settlement of Asia Minor. Lycia appears elsewhere in Greek myth, such as in the story of Bellerophon, who eventually succeeded to the throne of the Lycian king Iobates (or Amphianax).
In 429 BC, Athens sent an expedition against Lycia to try to force it to rejoin the league. This failed when Lycia's leader Gergis of Xanthos defeated General Melasander. The Lycians once again fell under Persian domination and by 412 BC, Lycia is documented as fighting on the winning side of Persia. The Persian satraps were re-installed, but (as the coinage of the time attests) they allowed local dynasts the freedom to rule. Persia held Lycia until it was conquered by Alexander III (the Great) of Macedon during 334–333 BC.
+LYCIAN LEAGUE | |
City | !Votes |
Xanthos | 3 |
3 | |
Myra | 3 |
Pinara | 3 |
Tlos | 3 |
Olympos | 3 |
Cybira | 2 |
Boubon | 2 |
Balbira, Lycia | 1 |
Oenoanda | 1 |
Simpolity of Aperlae, Simena, Isinda, Apollonia, Lycia | 1 |
The major cities of the League included Xanthos, Patara, Pinara, Olympos, Myra, and Tlos, with Patara as the capital. Phaselis joined the League at a later time. The league continued to function after Lycia became a Roman province in 46 AD. Lycia ceased being a federation in the 4th century AD, when it was taken over by the Byzantine Empire.
Category:Lycia Category:Ancient Roman provinces Category:Antalya Province Category:Historical regions of Anatolia Category:Muğla Province Category:Seleucid Empire Category:Rock-cut tombs
ar:ليكيا be:Лікія bg:Ликия ca:Lícia cs:Lýkie da:Lykien de:Lykien et:Lüükia el:Λυκία es:Licia eo:Likio fr:Lycie gl:Licia ko:리키아 hr:Licija it:Licia he:ליקיה lt:Likija hu:Lükia nl:Lycië ja:リュキア no:Lykia pl:Licja pt:Lícia ru:Ликия sk:Lýkia sr:Ликија sh:Likija fi:Lyykia sv:Lykien th:ลิเชีย tr:Likya uk:Лікія zh:吕基亚
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