Various traditions debate the founding of Halicarnassus, situated on the Gulf of Kos near the modern town of Bodrum, Turkey, but they agree in the main point as to its being a Dorian colony.

The figures on its coins, such as the head of Medusa, Athena and Poseidon, or the trident, support the statement that the mother cities were Troezen and Argos.

The inhabitants appear to have accepted as their legendary founder Anthes, mentioned by Strabo, and were proud of the title of Antheadae.

Halicarnassus is planted among six Carian towns: Theangela, Sibde, Medmasa, Euranium, Pedasa or Pedasum, and Telmissus.

These with Myndus and Synagela (or Syagela or Souagela) constitute the eight Lelegian towns.