Phaselis occupied an unusual position among Lycian coastal cities — founded by Rhodian colonists in the seventh century BC, it maintained enough commercial independence to strike its own silver coinage well into the Hellenistic period. The city's economy ran heavily on timber trade from the Taurus hinterland and on harbor dues collected across its three natural ports, which made high-weight silver staters a practical necessity rather than a prestige exercise.
Alexander the Great wintered at Phaselis in 333 BC, using it as a staging point before crossing into Pamphylia — the city surrendered without resistance and sent him a golden crown.
Phaselis occupied an unusual position among Lycian coastal cities — founded by Rhodian colonists in the seventh century BC, it maintained enough commercial independence to strike its own silver coinage well into the Hellenistic period. The city's economy ran heavily on timber trade from the Taurus hinterland and on harbor dues collected across its three natural ports, which made high-weight silver staters a practical necessity rather than a prestige exercise.
Alexander the Great wintered at Phaselis in 333 BC, using it as a staging point before crossing into Pamphylia — the city surrendered without resistance and sent him a golden crown.