Kherei (circa 433-410 BC, or circa 410-390 BC) was dynast of

Lycia Lycia (Lycian language, Lycian: 𐊗𐊕𐊐𐊎𐊆𐊖 ''Trm̃mis''; el, Λυκία, ; tr, Likya) was a state or nationality that flourished in Anatolia from 15–14th centuries BC (as Lukka) to 546 BC. It bordered the Mediterranean ...

, ruler of the area of

Xanthos Xanthos ( Lycian: 𐊀𐊕𐊑𐊏𐊀 ''Arñna'', el, Ξάνθος, Latin: ''Xanthus'', Turkish: ''Ksantos'') was an ancient major city near present-day Kınık, Antalya Province, Turkey. The remains of Xanthos lie on a hill on the left ba ...

, at a time when this part of

Anatolia Anatolia, tr, Anadolu Yarımadası), and the Anatolian plateau, also known as Asia Minor, is a large peninsula in Western Asia and the westernmost protrusion of the Asian continent. It constitutes the major part of modern-day Turkey. The re ...

was subject to the Persian, or Achaemenid, Empire. Present-day knowledge of Lycia in the period of

classical antiquity Classical antiquity (also the classical era, classical period or classical age) is the period of cultural history between the 8th century BC and the 5th century AD centred on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ...

comes mostly from archaeology, in which this region is unusually rich. He may have been the dynast to whom was dedicated the

Xanthian Obelisk The Xanthian Obelisk, also known as the Xanthos or Xanthus Stele, the Xanthos or Xanthus Bilingual, the Inscribed Pillar of Xanthos or Xanthus, the Harpagus Stele, the Pillar of Kherei and the Columna Xanthiaca, is a stele bearing an inscription ...

, where he is mentioned in multiple places, although this could more probably be his predecessor

Kheriga Kheriga (in Greek Gergis) was a Dynast of Lycia, who ruled circa 450-410 BCE. Kheriga is mentioned on the succession list of the Xanthian Obelisk, and is probably the owner of the sarcophagus that was standing on top of it. Kheriga was son of H ...

(''Xeriga'', Gergis in Greek). Kherei may have been

's brother, and succeeded him.

Coinage

Kherei was among last the Lycian rulers to issue coinage. After 360 BC, the region of Lycia was taken over by the Carian dynast

Mausolus Mausolus ( grc, Μαύσωλος or , xcr, ��𐊠��𐊸𐊫𐊦 ''Mauśoλ'') was a ruler of Caria (377–353 BCE) and a satrap of the Achaemenid Empire. He enjoyed the status of king or dynast by virtue of the powerful position created by h ...

. The portrait on the coins of Kherei show the dynast wearing the Achaemenid

satrap A satrap () was a governor of the provinces of the ancient Median and Achaemenid Empires and in several of their successors, such as in the Sasanian Empire and the Hellenistic empires. The satrap served as viceroy to the king, though with consid ...

al headdress. File:DYNASTS of LYCIA. Kherei. Circa 410-390 BC.jpg, Coinage of Kherei. Circa 410-390 BC. ''Obv:'' Helmeted head of Athena. Rev: Head of Kherei, wearing Persian tiara decorated with laurel branch. File:DYNASTS_of_LYCIA._Kherei._Circa_440-30-410_BC.jpg, Coinage of Kherei. Circa 410-390 BC

Coinage

Notes

Further reading