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Bodrum in ancient times
The history of Bodrum, known as
Halicarnassus or Halicarnassos goes back to the 13th century BC. Excavaties
reveal the 5000 year old history of this town. Many civilisations found
their home here. Carians for excample, Homer tells in his Ilia, that the
Carians helped to defend Troya.
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Heredotus, known as the father of history, was born
in Bodrum in 484 BC.- and he said that Bodrum had
been founded by the Dorians. The next settlers were Carians and Lelegians.
In the 6'th. century BC., the region came under Persian rule. Its most
brilliant period was around 353. BC. when it was the capital of the Satrap
of Caria (In this century it was famous for its trade, sailing and
boatbuilding.) Artemisia who was a warrior-woman played a significant role
in the protection of the Asian Union and she achieved fame by adopting a
stance against Rhodes as the Admiral of the Carian
fleet in 480 BC.
The Mausoleum is Bodrums oldest antiquity and was built by Artemisia II in
honour of her husband King Mausolos. It became one of the wonders of the
ancient world, Mausoleum still is the general term for a large tomb. The
entire structure stood at over 50 meters in height. The first reliefs from
the Mausoleum
reached the British Museum in London in 1846, these included frescos and
other objects.
Bodrums first remembered literary character was Cevat Sakir, known as the 'Halicarnassus
Fisherman'
asked for the return of the Mausoleum parts to Bodrum in a letter adressed
to the Queen of England,
saying that such exquisite works of art were not finding their true place
under the foggy and grey sky of London.
The letter he received in response stated as following:
"Thank you for reminding us of the matter, We have painted the ceiling where
the Mausoleum is located in blue."
The most prominent feature of Bodrum is the castle of St. Peter.
The castle's origins date back to the knights of St. John
This group of expatriates began in the 11th century with a church and
hospital in Jerusalem. Although belonging to he Catholic religion care was
denied to no-one.
When the knights arrived they instructed their builders to remove all usable
materials from the tomb of King Mausolos as the castle construction began in
the 1400's.
The knights refered to the town as Mesy not knowing that they where in the
ancient Halicarnassus
The fortress became known as the Castle of St. Peter, the Liberator, it
served as the sole place of refugee
for all Christians on the West Coast of Asia during the time of the crusades.
For over a century the castle served as a stronghold in the knights
community.
Under Turkish care the castle has undergone several uses including being a
military base, a prison and a public bath.
But now it is one of the finest museums in this region.
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