Halikarnassos

Halikarnassos, also known as Halicarnassus, was an ancient Greek city located in Caria, on the coast of the Aegean Sea. It was founded by Dorian Greeks, and its most famous period was under the rule of the Carian dynasty, particularly Mausolus. Mausolus, who reigned in the 4th century BCE, made Halikarnassos his capital and significantly beautified the city.

The most renowned monument of Halikarnassos was the Mausoleum, a colossal tomb built for Mausolus by his wife and sister Artemisia II. This structure was so impressive that it gave rise to the modern word "mausoleum" for any grand tomb. The Mausoleum was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, famed for its architectural grandeur and elaborate sculptures.

The city was also the birthplace of the historian Herodotus, often called the "Father of History," who wrote about the Greco-Persian Wars. In 334 BCE, Alexander the Great conquered Halikarnassos. The city experienced periods of decline and resurgence throughout antiquity.

Today, the site of ancient Halikarnassos is located within the modern Turkish city of Bodrum. Archaeological excavations have uncovered remnants of the city, including foundations of buildings and fragments of the Mausoleum, offering insights into its once-glorious past. The surviving pieces of the Mausoleum are largely housed in the British Museum.