Xanthus, zan'thus, the capital of ancient Lycia, situated on the river Xanthus, in the s. w. corner of Asia Minor, near the present village of Gunik. The city was twice destroyed by the Persians, the last time in 546 B. C. It was sacked by the Romans under Brutus in 43 B. C. At the time of its greatest prosperity, it was a place of remarkable magnificence. Excavations have disclosed sculptures and architectural ornaments which show something of its former grandeur. One of these sculptures, known as the Harpy Tomb, is now in the British Museum. The friezes of other buildings represent battles, sports and banquets, while other excavations have revealed works of Roman origin. The date of these works is unknown, but it is supposed that many of them are of a period nearly five hundred years before the beginning of the Christian era.