Mausoleum and Sacred Area of Hecatomnus

The Mausoleum of Hecatomnus is positioned at the East aspect of Hisarbasi Hill within the Milas District of Mugla. In 1675/76 German scholar Jacob Spon visited Milas - which changed into called “Mylasa” on the time and observed the rostrum of the mausoleum and the Menandros Column. He included the engraving of this column in the travelogue he published with his British colleague George Wheler following this preliminary visit to the website online. The mausoleum has been studied via distinctive pupils.

Although the monument were described in diverse earlier studies as a “temple”, latest research has established that it's miles a “mausoleum”, similar to the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Bodrum. In reality, scholars argue that the Mausoleum of Hecatomnus became a precedent in terms of its architectural shape to comparable monuments built within the later periods. With regard to its architectural capabilities, it's miles possible to this point the mausoleum to the early 4th century B.C.

Considering the burial customs of the period whilst Hecatomnus become a satrap - burial of the founder and/or contributors of the dynasty inside the town centre - and considering that Mylasa was still the capital, the mausoleum, may want to maximum sincerely belong to Hecotomnus and his family. In addition, the bas-reliefs, at the sarcophagus, and the iconography of the wall paintings, help the argument that this mausoleum belonged to Hecatomnus.