Fethiye, known as Telmessos in
the antique period, is the most important city of Lycia - one of
the oldest. Anatolian civilizations-at the western borderline with
caria.
Despite lack of information regarding its establishment, it is
stated in the available ducoments that the history of the city
reaches for back to 5th century B:C:A:
Lycia legend explains the source of the name Telmessos as
follows: "God Apollon falls in love with the youngest daughter
of the King of Finike (phoenike) Agenor. He disguises himself
as a small dog and thus gains love of the shy, withdrawn
daughter. They name their son Telmessos ". The city, with its
name believed to have come from that of Telmessos - son of god
Apollon, froms the first state of the persians after being
invaded by the persian king harpagos in 547 B.C. along with
all other lycian and carian cities.
