LYCIA UNTIL 189 B.C.

 Based on Hitite, Egyptian and Ugarit documentation, it is possible to be informed of Lycian political activities as from the middle of the seventh century. In this connection, it is evident that the Lycian region was subject to many invasions for a long time. According to Hellenistic legends, the Amazons invaded Lycia and carried campaigns as far as Egypt. In the sixth century B.C. following the conquest of Anatolia by the Lydian king, with the exception of Lycia, the attact of the Persians against Lydians affected Lycia as well. In 545 B.C. Persians under the command of General Harpagos defeated Lycians. Due to the tolerance of the Persian administration, Lycians were able. to have their own local governors within their territory. Meanwhile, in 480 B.C. Xerxes organized a great force for the assult on Greece when the Lycians contributed 50 ships to his navy. Pursuant to defeats at Salamis and Platea, the Athenians got together a naval force known as Delos Union to invade the western coastline of Asia Minor. The participation of lycians in this union was short-lived and with minimal support.

Following Cimon's campaigns against the Persians, during the Pelloponnesian War (404 B.C.) Athenians were defeated by the Spartans. This was the end of the Delos Union. The lycians did not take part in the Pelloponnesian War, but Melesandros of Athens arrived at Lycia and Caria with a strong naval force. His aim was to collect funds, as well as to prevent Pelloponnesian looters attacking freighters passing through the region. These freighters were probably carrying foodstuffs to Athens from other countries and therefore they were worthy of protection. 

Although the Lycians did not actually participate in the war, doubtlessly they suffered the consequences. The fact that Spartans were weary due to fights was for the benefit of the Persians who once again dominated Lycia.

 Early in the fourth century B.C. Caria's prince satrap Mausolos placed cairns on Lycia. In the following struggle, the Lycians resisted under the command of their Likiarkhes Penkles. Finally the Persians suppressed the resistance and turned Lycia over to Mausolos. However, the dominance of Mausolos and his successors over Lycia did not last long. When Alexander the Great arrived at Lycia via capitulated, signing a treaty.

After the death of Alexander the Great, the Lycians found themselves under the sovereignty of the Egyptian King Ptolemy. The Egyptian dominance lasted almost a century. Although there was no Egyptian settlement, taxes were levied upon the region. During this period the Lycians had to abandon their own language and were forced to learn Greek. With Perikles, the sovereignty of Lycian generations came to an end and only the cities could issue decrees.

   Under the command of Antiochus III, the Seleucus dynasty defeated Egypt (223-187 B.C.) and in 197 B.C. conquered the Lycian cities along the coastline one by one. The Syrian domination of Lycia came to an end with the arrival of the Romans. The Romans attacked Patara but had to retreat. The Lycians were loyal to Antiochus in this region. The Romans cancelled a second assault on Patara and won a naval victory against Hannibal who was serving under the Syrian King. In the fall of190, the Romans and their allies defeated Antiochus, Isupported by Lycian forces, in the north of Magnesia, causing him to flee.