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HALICARNASSUS
An important commercial city of Caria in Asia Minor, beautifully situated on a bay about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the island of Cos. Its excellent natural harbor and the fertile soil in the surrounding area, which produced abundant crops of fruits and nuts, made it a prominent trading center. The tomb of one of the most famous kings of Caria (Mausolus, 377–353 BC) at Halicarnassus was considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. It was also the birthplace of Herodotus and Dionysius. The city was burned by Alexander the Great when he was not able to take the acropolis. From 1 Maccabees 15:23 it appears that it had a substantial Jewish population because a letter written by the Roman Senate asked that no harm should be done to them (1 Macc 15:19). Josephus notes that the city granted the Jews the right to “celebrate their Sabbaths, and perform their holy offices, according to the Jewish laws; and may make their proseuchae (places of prayer) at the sea-side, according to the customs of their forefathers” (Antiquities 14.10.23). The modern town of Bodrum covers a part of the site of the ancient city.