After his death crowned Artemis II. has built a memorial tomb for the memory of his husband. This tomb is known as one of the seven wonders of the world. There is a high base, and a gallery with 36 columns on it and a roof by twenty four stairs. Its total height is 55 m. Along the history ruled by different hegemonies, invaided by Turks in 1274. Today, ruins of memorial Tomb, Antique Theatre and Great Tower of Artemis.

For some, Bodrum is history. For others it may be escape to the warmth of sun, to the contrast of sparkling white, clear sea, and brilliant blue, while still others are entranced with Bodrum's exciting nights and relaxing days. But for all, denizen and visitors alike, Bodrum is a passion, an obsession. Born at the sping of Salmakis thousand of years ago with the love of two youths, this passion has survived through the ages, enriching our lives; our loves. Fortunate are those who live on this peninsula, who are able to drink its water, breathe its air and carry its joys in their hearts.
The history of our peninsula notes that it is an area that has been inhabited since the beginnings of civilization and was a gateway to ancient Anatolia. For over 4000 years it was the scene of invasian, occupation and settlement by a variety of races, whose subsequent side-by-side existence produced a rich culture and history. From various sources we learn that the oldest settlers of this region were the Lelegians, related to the Carians, an indegenous Anatolian tribe which also migrated to various Aegean islands. In antiguity, Caria was the area between the Dalaman stream and the Great River Meander.

Bodrum Harbour & Castle
Carians were labourers, itinerant workers, warriors, gladiators and soldiers of fortune who spread out into lands stretching from Persia to Rome, from the Black Sea to the Sudan. They were called "carileas" which means cheap.During its long history Bodrum appears under several names. The earliest settlement, Lelegian or Carian, was on the present site of the Bodrum Castle which at that time, was an island known as Zephyria (meaning "west wind").
Heredotus, the great historian and native of the city, states that Halicarnassus (the next name under which Bodrum appears in history) was founded by Dorians.Caria was invaded by the Dorians in 900 B.C. and became the member of the Dorion League composed of the cities of Cnidos, Cos, Lindos, Camyros, Lalyos, and Halicarnassus. The League assembled every year at the temple of Apollo in Cnidos and held competitions between the cities.

The city later conquered by the Persians. Under Persian suzerainty it was ruled by Queen Artemisia I who gained fame for her bravery and intelligence by leading her squadron in the Persian navy against the Greeks in the sea battle of Salamis. In the 4 th. century B.C. Halicarnassus became the capitol of the Satrapy of Caria a subject kingdom of the Persian Empire. Due to its favourable and defensible position which fostered seafaring and commerce, the city prospered rapidly.

King Mausolus, who ruled as a satrap for twenty four years, and couraged donations and was an innovative tax-gatherer, even imposing a tax on citizens with long hair. As a result, he was able to hire the most famous architects and sculptors who adorned his city with magnificient structures and monuments earning for it a secure place in history.

Mausolus married his sister Artemisia II who ruled the city after his death. Her great accomplishment during her two year reign, was the building of a memo-real tomb to her husband Mausolus in a show of her affection and sorrow.
This tomb is known today as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

In 43 B.C., Caesar's assassins established a naval base at Myndos ( present day Gumusluk). In following years, Halicarnassus fell under the domination of Egypt, Syria, the Kingdom of Pergamon, Rome and Bizantium. Halicarnassus was captured by the Selcuk Turks in the 11 th. Century. After the battle of Ankara in 1402 Sultan Mehmet Celebi gave Bodrum to the Knights of St. John in exchange for the fortress in Izmir and today's Bodrum Castle from that Period.