| Caria (Καρία) | |
|---|---|
| Ancient region of Anatolia | |
 Theater in Kaunos | |
| Location | Southwestern Anatolia, Turkey |
| State existed | 11th–6th century BC |
| Language | Carian |
| Biggest city | Halicarnassus (modern-day Bodrum, Muğla, Turkey) |
| Roman province | Asia |
 | |
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.
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- ^ a b The Histories, Book I Section 171.