A number of rock tombs have been carved into a steep and rocky slope at the foot of the mountain on the south side of Fethiye (Ancient Telmessos). Three of these are of temple type, while the others are examples of civil architecture. One of the three temple-type tombs is popularly known as the "King's Tomb" and has remained relatively more preserved than the other two. The tomb, dated to the 4th century BC, was named the Amynthas Tomb due to the inscription "Amynthas son of Hermapias" on the central part of the east ante walls. It is the projected form of the façade of an Ionian regular in antis (temple with two columns between the antes) planned temple on the rock. In the section opening to the burial chamber, there is a depiction of a door divided into four main panels. The interior of the chamber has a flat and coarsely carved ceiling and three columns. The Rock Tomb of Amynthas, along with the other tombs on the same steep slope, represents the best examples of metal and woodworkmanship in the Lycian Region and is the symbol of the city. The ancient city of Telmessos and its rock tombs were frequently visited by travellers in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Frenchman Charles Texier produced drawings of this rock tomb during his visit in the 1850s. Texier inscribed his name in the upper left corner of the monument to prove his visit.
FETHİYE AMINTHAS ROCK TOMBS
