Caria

Caria (Καρία)
Ancient region of Anatolia
Theater in Kaunos
LocationSouthwestern Anatolia, Turkey
State existed11th–6th century BC
LanguageCarian
Biggest cityHalicarnassus
(modern-day Bodrum, Muğla, Turkey)
Roman provinceAsia

Caria (/ˈkɛəriə/; from Greek: Καρία, Karia; Turkish: Karya) was a region of western Anatolia extending along the coast from mid-Ionia (Mycale) south to Lycia and east to Phrygia. The Carians were described by Herodotus as being Anatolian mainlanders and they called themselves Caria because of the name of their king. He reports the Carians themselves maintained that they were Anatolian mainlanders intensely engaged in seafaring and were akin to the Mysians and the Lydians. The Carians spoke Carian, a native Anatolian language closely related to Luwian. Also closely associated with the Carians were the Leleges, which could be an earlier name for Carians.