Ancient Cities of Lycian Civilization Lycia was a historic region in Anatolia that existed prior to Roman rule, most famously recognized for its ancient city, Xanthos. This ancient territory was situated on the Teke Peninsula along Turkey's Mediterranean coastline, bordered by Caria to the west and Pamphylia to the east. The Lycian civilization is celebrated for numerous archaeological remains dating back to the 5th and 4th centuries BC found throughout the region. Ancient Egyptian and Hittite texts from the 2nd millennium BC mention a people called the "Lukka" or "Lukka." In the 14th century BC, the Hittite king Suppiluliuma claimed to have conquered the "Land of Lycia," which is believed to refer to Lukka, as recorded in accounts of the Kadesh Battle. Historians associate the Lukkas with the "Sea Peoples" mentioned in ancient writings. According to ancient sources, the name Lukka translates to the "Land of Light." From the late 2nd century BC to the middle of the 2nd century BC, the region of Lycia was governed by Antiochus III, a ruler from Syria. The Lycian League was established around the mid-1st century BC, consisting of 23 cities (although some scholars argue it began just before 100 BC). This league is recognized as the earliest known democratic federation in history and served as a model for many modern democratic systems. In this structure, the major cities were granted three votes, while smaller settlements had two or one vote based on their size. The city of Patara was designated as the league’s capital. Cities such as Xanthos, Pinara, Olympos, Myra, and Tlos each held three votes, with Phaselis joining later. The Teke Peninsula also hosts many other notable Lycian League cities uncovered through extensive excavations, including Andriake, Sura, Kyaenai, Limyra, Theimmusa, Simena, Istlada, Trebende, and Aperlae. Below, you can explore the key sites of the Lycian Civilization and find additional information: