Caria

Caria (Καρία)
Ancient region of Anatolia
Theater in Caunos
Theater in Kaunos
LocationSouthwestern Anatolia, Turkey
State existed11th–6th century BC
LanguageCarian
Biggest cityHalicarnassus
(modern-day Bodrum, Muğla, Turkey)
Roman provinceAsia
Location of Caria within the classical regions of Asia Minor/Anatolia

Caria (/ˈkɛəriə/; from Greek: Καρία, Karia; Turkish: Karya) was a region of western Anatolia extending along the coast from mid-Ionia (Mycale) south to Lycia and east to Phrygia.[1] The Carians were described by Herodotus as being Anatolian mainlanders and they called themselves Caria because of the name of their king.[2] He reports the Carians themselves maintained that they were Anatolian mainlanders intensely engaged in seafaring and were akin to the Mysians and the Lydians.[2] The Carians spoke Carian, a native Anatolian language closely related to Luwian. Also closely associated with the Carians were the Leleges, which could be an earlier name for Carians.

  1. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Caria" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  2. ^ a b The Histories, Book I Section 171.