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Telmessos (Fethiye) 20 pictures The exact origin of the ancient town of Telmessos, over which the modern town of Fethiye is built, is not known. In fact, who built it and when are questions that have remained unanswered. Yet it was the largest town in Lycia and an influential member, during the 5^th century B.C., of the Delian Confederacy to which it paid an annual tribute of one single talent. This is quite significant as the other towns paid ten times as much. In 334 B.C. Alexander the Great made a peace with the Telmessians. legend has it that it was the seat of an important oracle, to which numerous sovereigns turned. But this is only hearsay. The importance of the town - enhanced by its position in a bay protected by islets - began to decline in the wake of Arab depredations along the coast. It also changed names several times: first Anastasiopolis during the 5^th century A.D., followed by Makri after the IX until it became Fethiye during the course of this century. In 240 B.C, Telmessos was presented by Ptolemy III to another Ptolemy. Telmessos continued in the Pergamene Kingdom until that came to an end in 133 B.C. Later the town was included in the Roman province of Asia. Tombs Temple and house- type monument tombs, from the 4^th century B.C. Theater The theater was built in the early Roman period and was renovated in the 2^nd century A.D. It had the capacity of 5,000 people. Back to Turkey Index