A titular see of Caria, suffragan of Stauropolis. It was a
colony from Trœzen in Argolis, and one of the six towns that
formed the Dorian Hexapolis in Asia Minor. It was situated on
Ceramic Gulf and the isthmus known as Zephyrion, whence its
original name, Zephyria, was protected by many forts, and was
the largest and strongest town in Caria. Its harbour was also
famous. The Persians imposed tyrants on the town who subdued all
Caria, and remained faithful to Persia, though they adopted the
Greek language, customs, and arts. Its queen, Artemisia, and her
fleet were present with Xerxes at Salamis. Another Artemisia is
famous for the magnificent tomb (Mausoleum) she built for her
husband, Mausolus, at Halicarnassus, a part of which is now in
the British Museum. The town was captured and burnt by
Alexander. Though rebuilt, it never recovered its former
prosperity, and gradually disappeared almost from history. The
historians Herodotus and Dionysius were born there. It is the
modern Bodrum, the chief town of a caz