XANTHUS, an ancient city of Lycia (q.v.), on the river Xanthus, about 8 miles above its mouth. It is chiefly memorable in history for its two sieges, and the desperate but unavailing resistance made on both occasions. The first siege was by the Persian general Harpagus (see vol. xviii. p. 566), when the acropolis was burned and the inhabitants, with all their possessions, perished (Herod., i. 176). The city was afterwards rebuilt; and in 42 b.c. it was besieged by the Romans 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 fine temples and other buildings, extensive remains of which, in excellent preservation, were discovered by Sir C. Fellows (Excursion in Asia Minor, 1839). A large collection of marbles, chiefly sepulchral, from Xanthus is now in the British Museum-