Quick Facts
Biography
Ada of Caria (Ancient Greek: Ἄδα) (fl. 377 – 326 BC) was a member of the House of Hecatomnus (the Hecatomnids) and ruler of Caria during the mid-4th century BC, first as Persian Satrap and later as Queen under the auspices of Alexander III (the Great) of Macedon.
History
Ada was the daughter of Hecatomnus, satrap of Caria, and sister of Mausolus, Artemisia, Idrieus, and Pixodarus. She was married to her brother Idrieus, who succeeded Artemisia in 351 BC and died in 344 BC. On the death of her husband Ada became satrap of Caria, but was expelled by her brother Pixodarus in 340 BC, who upon his death in 335 BC was succeeded by his own son-in-law, the Persian Orontobates. Ada fled to the fortress of Alinda, where she maintained her rule in exile.
When Alexander the Great entered Caria in 334 BC, Ada adopted Alexander as her son and surrendered Alinda to him. Alexander accepted her offer and, in return, gave Ada formal command of the Siege of Halicarnassus. After the fall of Halicarnassus, Alexander returned Alinda to Ada and made her queen of all of Caria. Ada's popularity with the populace in turn ensured the Carians' loyalty to Alexander.
Ada meanwhile held only Alinda, the strongest fortress in Caria; and when Alexander entered Caria she went to meet him, surrendering Alinda and adopting Alexander as her son. Alexander gave Alinda to her charge, and did not reject the title of son, and when he had taken Halicarnassus and became master of the rest of Caria, he gave her command of the whole country.
— Arrian, Anabasis, 1.23.8
She was under the protection of Asander, Hellenistic satrap of Lydia.
Agora of Alinda, Ada's Stronghold.
The siege and capture of Halicarnassus under Alexander the Great
Ada sarcophagus
According to Turkish archaeologists, the tomb of Ada has been discovered, although this claim remains unresolved. Her remains are on display in the archaeological museum of Bodrum.
Purported skeleton of Ada, Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Reconstitution of Ada, Bodrum Museum. She was 1.62m tall, and about 40 years old when she died.
Wreath of Ada, Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Room dedicated to the Carian Princess in the Bodrum Museum.
Jewelry worn by the princess in the sarcophagus.
Jewelry worn by the princess in the sarcophagus.
Reconstitution of the head of the deceased, aged about 40.
