The Lygdamid dynasty (c. 520–450 BCE) was a dynasty of tyrants in the region of Caria, who were subordinate to the Achaemenid Empire following the conquests of Cyrus the Great through his general Harpagus.[1][2] The dynasty was founded by Lygdamis, of Carian-Greek ethnicity.[3][4][5][6]
The dynasty issued several tyrants, until the last one, Lygdamis II, died c. 454 BCE, after which Halicarnassus joined the Athenian alliance, known as the Delian League.[2] At that time, Halicarnassus started to appear on the Athenian tribute quota lists.[7]
From 395 BCE, Caria would again fall under the control of the Achaemenid Empire and be ruled by a new dynasty of local tyrants, the Hecatomnids.[8]