Where is Dalyan? A brief history of Caunos Places of interest nearby Links to other Dalyan sites

The founders of the city were indigenous people of Anatolia. In the Lycian version of the tri-lingual text found in Xanthos, the Carian name of Caunos is "Khbide." The oldest settlement of the city can be dated to 10th century BC. Herodotos wrote that "...Harpagos, after conquering Ionia, marched over Carians, Caunians and Lycians..." This sheds light on the significance of Caunos during the Persian wars in the third quarter of the sixth century BC. Since here it was mentioned as a district such as Caria and Lycia, it is to be concluded that Caunos was an important center including some other cities. Around 545 BC Caunos went under control of the Persians. Since they never deferred to the Anatolian Satrapies and their urban authorities, Caunos, like Xanthos, improved rapidly. However, Caunos took part in the Ionian revolt of 500 BC against the Persians. Upon the failure of this rebellion, Persian power must have been intensified. More...