Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:51 AM Sayfa
Xanthos
"The Persian army entered the plain of Xanthos under the command
of Harpagos and did battle with the Xanthians. The Xanthians fought
with small numbers against the superior Persian forces with
legendary bravery. They resisted the endless Persian forces with
great courage but were finally succumbed and forced to retreat
within the walls of their city. They gathered their womenfolk,
children, slaves and treasure into the fortress. This was then set on
fire from below and around the walls, until all was destroyed by the
conflagration. The warriors of Xanthos made their final attack on
the Persians, their voices raised in their battle cries, until every last
man from Xanthos was killed."
Only the Xanthians who happened to be in other places at the time were
spared and it was they who returned at a later date to resurrect the city.
After reading this passage from Herodotos of Halicarnassos, we learn that
Xanthos existed during the 6 th century BC. They fight as allies of the
Troians, coming "from distant Lycia and the eddying Xanthos"; their
commander Sarpedon was among the minor heroes during the battles
that took place in the 12 th century BC. This indicates to us that there was
a Xanthos around 1200 BC, as well. However, this hapless though
magnificent city was completely burnt down between 475 and 450 BC.
During excavations, this was confirmed by a thick layer of ash covering
the site. In 429 BC, all of Lycia united against their Athenian satrap
Melasandros, who wanted to impose new taxes on them. Melasandros
died in this war and relations with Athens fizzled out. Xanthos was
captured by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. The Xanthians' dealings with
him are a matter of uncertainty. The historian Appian, writing in the 2 nd
century AD, records that 'they are said to have been unwilling to submit
to him, and to have suffered as one the previous occasion, destroying
themselves in the name of freedom.This is not, however, confirmed by
any other evidence, and Arrian, our most respectable authority for
Lycian Sarcophagus and the Monument of Harpies. Lycian grave
monument, which rests on a high-pedestal base, is 8.59 m. high. Which
king this Lycian grave monument belonged to is unknown. It was built in
the 6 th century BC. The Monument of Harpies is from 480 BC and is 8.87 m.
high. The embossments at the top, which describe the family of the deceased
and the Sirens, has been taken to the British Museum. We can see the
plaster copies replacing them today.
157