LYCIAN

The Lycian Settlement Although Lycians are mentioned in a lot of previous historical events, it is not known for certain when they came and settled in the Southwestern Anatolia (Fethiye and environs). However, in 1000 B.C. the Lycians are indicated as "Lycians coming from afar", meaning from Southwestern Anatolia called Lycia, and it is recorded that during. the Trojan Wars they were settled along the Xanthos River. Some sources indicate that the Lycians went off to Troy and camped at the foot of Zeiena (Kazdag). Some researches claim that the Lycians were originally settled on the southern coastline of the Marmara Sea and early in the 1 3th century B.C. migrated futher to the south.

While it is generally agreed that the Lycians were living at Lycia (Fethiye and .environs) as early as mid-2000, other sources claim that they were in Southwestern Anatolia around 1400 B.C

 The Hitite documentation, on the other hand, furnish clear indications about the area of Lycian settlement and their activities during mid-2000 and up to 1 200 B.C Based on these, if may be inferred that Lycians were ving in Southwestern Anatolia prior to the Trojan Wars Lycian Origin While it is assented that prior to the Lycians' arrival in Southwestern Anatolia the Luwis were living in the region, it is somewhat difficult to establish The origin and the date of settlement of Lycions because this question is still under dispute.

Based on records purporting that the Lycians came here from Crete, it may be considered that they arrived in Anatolia during the Aegean migrations. However, considering the similarities in the Hitite and Egyptian documentations, it seems improbable. In the face of Anatolian influence on and transition to Crete, the migration from Crete to Lycia is a doubtful approach. Some authors cairn that Lycians were settled in Caria but such claims have yet to be proven.

It is wrong to define the origin of Lycians as immigrants from Crete, because there have been migrations from Anatolia to Crete and from Crete, islands and other regions to Anatolia. Most of the immigrants from Crete have established colonies in Lycia. However, this is common due to conditions at that time. On the other hand, the similarities of the Lycians with the Luwi tribe of 3000B.C. facilitate our con sidering the former as having originated in Anatolia, not overlooking the Hellenic influence. The people who had settled in Fethiye and its environs, irrespective of whether they came from Caria or Asia or from Xanthos, indisputably appeared on the historical scene in mid-2000 B.C and played a prominent role in the events.

The Connotation of the name of Lycia Homeros records that fhe name of Iycia and Lycians mean "descendants of light" which was used in honour of Apollon. The terms "lykia-land of light" and "lykian-citizen of the land of light" underline the fact that fhe Lycian region (Fethiye and its environs) enjoys more sunny days compared with the rest of Anatolia. That is why it is logical to assume that this region was given a name meaning "the land of light". Furthermore, it is known that their deity, Apollon, was attributed with light.   

Lycian History
History has not left us with as clear a picture of the Lycians as it has with some other ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks. However, some questions and facts regarding the Lycians can be answered or at least speculated upon.