a celebrated ancient city of Asia Minor, the largest in Lycia, on the river of the same name, about 8 miles above its mouth. It is chiefly memorable in history for its two sieges, and the desperate but unavailing resistance made by its citizens on both occasions. The first was by Harpagus, a general under Cyrus, when the inhabitants, with all their possessions, were buried beneath the ruins. The city was afterwards rebuilt; and, in the time of the Roman civil war, B.C. 42, was besieged by the republican army under Brutus. It was taken by storm and set on fire; and the inhabitants, refusing to surrender, all perished in the flames. During its prosperity, Xanthus contained many beautiful temples and other buildings, extensive remains of which, in excellent preservation, have been recently discovered. A large number of these remains are now in the British Museum.