Halicarnassus was an important trading city founded by Greeks from the Peloponnese around 900 BC. Along with other Greek cities in Asia Minor, it fell to the Persians around 545 BC.
In 480 BC, at the time of the Persian Wars against Greece, its ruler was a woman, Artemisia, who fought for Xerxes at the sea battle of Salamis. These wars and other contemporary events were vividly described by Herodotus, also a native of Halicarnassus.
Around 370 BC, Mausolus, the ruler of Halicarnassus, built walls, docks and many public buildings. His widow had a monumental tomb constructed for him, the Mausoleum, which was regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Many fragments of the sculptures that decorated it survive and its overall appearance can be reconstructed from ancient descriptions. Built of white marble, it was a square tomb surrounded by columns, surmounted by a sculpture of a chariot and horses, set on three stepped tiers decorated with reliefs and sculptures.
