Halicarnassus

Halicarnassus, city on the Ceramic Gulf of ancient Caria, now the Gulf of Gökova in southwest Turkey. The city was founded by the Dorians and was conquered by the Persians in the 5th century bc. Later, having freed itself from Persian rule, the city became the capital of the independent province of Caria and the seat of the Carian kings, the most famous of whom was Mausolus (flourished about 376-353 bc). He was commemorated with a tomb called the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Greek historians Herodotus and Dionysius of Halicarnassus were born in the city. In the beginning of the 15th century, Halicarnassus was fortified by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, who named it Petronion in honor of St. Peter. Ruins of their castle and of the ancient city are found at Bodrum.