Halicarnassus (Ἀλικαρνασσος, Alikarnassos). A city on the coast of Asia Minor, in the region of Caria. The Roman consul Lucius wrote a letter of protection for the Jews there in 139 bc (1 Macc 15:23).

Halicarnassus was located near the island of Cos. The Persian Empire ruled Caria from the fifth century bc but allowed it semiautonomous rule. The tomb of King Mausolus (373–353 bc) in Halicarnassus was one of the wonders of the ancient world, and is the origin of the word “mausoleum.” The city was also famous as the birthplace of the historian Herodotus (ca. 485–424 bc). Because of Halicarnassus’ ties to the Persians, Alexander the Great destroyed the city after a siege in 334 bc, but was not able to take the acropolis.

Many Jews lived there; 1 Macc 15:16–24 records a letter written by the Roman Senate on their behalf (139 bc). In the first century bc, Jews in Halicarnassus were granted liberty to worship according to their law (Josephus, Antiquities 14.255). The ruins of ancient Halicarnassus are now in Bodrum, Turkey.