Ancient City Telmessos-Theatre

The origins of Telmessos date back to the 5th century BC, when it served as a Lycian dynastic residence. Around 420 BC, the city came under the control of Xanthos and by approximately 360 BC, it became part of the Persian satrapy of Lycia. During the Hellenistic period, Telmessos changed allegiances multiple times before joining the Lycian League as an autonomous polis around 80 BC. In 43 AD, Telmessos was formally incorporated into the Roman Empire with the establishment of the province of Lycia et Pamphylia. In late antiquity, the city, which at times bore the name Anastasioupolis, was an episcopal see.