Xanthos Amphitheater
Visiting the ancient site of the city of Xanthos, one of the largest and most prominent cities of the Lycian Federation, should be included in any yacht charter itinerary while cruising on a yacht charter along the southern coast of Turkey, especially for those with an interest in history, archeology, or just a plain interest in life. Xanthos as an inhabited city dates back to at least the 8th century BC and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If your yacht charter itinerary includes a visit to Kas, Kalkan or the Kekova area, it is just a short drive to visit the ancient site of Xanthos while on a yacht charter cruise in this area.
Pillar Tombs at Xanthos
The Lycian Federation, a group of democratic city states, flourished along the southern coast of Turkey during BC history in the area predominantly between Dalyan and Antalya for many centuries until being overrun, city by city, by Persian, Greek, and Macedonian forces under Alexander the Great. And although under various different rulers of various different invading forces, the Lycian culture continued in this area for many more centuries, left fairly undisturbed other than each city paying tithes or supplying men for battle.
Located on a serene hillside overlooking the Esen River, the ancient site of Xanthos offers a stunning view of the Xanthos Valley and Taurus Mountains. The Xanthos valley was considered the center of the ancient Lycian Civilization; however, the history of Xanthos is a violent one. Lycians were a very independent democratic people. In 540 BC when the Persians invaded under Harpagos, rather than surrender, the people of Xanthos chose mass suicide over defeat by setting fire to their homes and treasures, and leaping off of the nearby cliffs to die in the river below, leaving nothing for the conquering Persians. About 80 Lycian families that were elsewhere during this invasion returned after the destruction and were able to build Xanthos once again. However in 309 BC Xanthos fell under the rule of Alexander the Great, then under the Ptolemy dynasty, the Syrians, and finally while under siege by the Romans under Brutus in 42 BC, history repeated itself in 42 BC with another mass suicide. This is said to have so shocked Brutus he offered money to his soldiers to save citizens, of whom in the end only 150 were rescued. However this group rebuilt Xanthos again, under various rulers into a strong city until around the 7th century AD when the city lost prominence after the Arab invasion
Xanthos Obelisk
Xanthian Site Highlights
View the fifth century BC Xanthian Obelisk, a tall pillar tomb with the longest Lycian inscription in existence on all four sides, which helped modern scholars break some of the code of this archaic, difficult language.
The Harpy Tomb, of the same era, sits upon a massive base, and is a grave-chamber. Its’ name is derived from the Greek mythological harpies, creatures with the head of a woman and the body of a bird, because of the winged women figures in the frieze.
The Pillar Tomb is unique in Lycia with a normal Lycian sarcophagus standing upon a shorter pillar tomb. This tall tomb dates to the 4th or 3rd century BC.
The Amphitheatre dates from the 2nd century AD. Only the upper rows of the structure are missing and the stage building is still partially standing. It was once two stories, decorated with columns.
Amphitheatre
The Acropolis, situated above the amphitheatre, includes ruins of a temple dedicated to Artemis and the foundations of a large structure thought to be a palace that was destroyed by the Persians. The Acropolis offers grand views of the entire valley and river.
The recently excavated Roman-Byzantine Street behind the amphitheatre outlines an area once lined with shops and thought to be the Agora area. Within the many foundation outlines, mosaic floors and other stone work have been found.
Xanthos Agora Ruins
Much of Xanthos is still to be excavated as this area was extensively settled and inhabited over many centuries, however a visit today especially when in the area on a crewed yacht charter is well worth the time to see that which has been excavated and to understand the extent of the site still to be excavated.
