Coinage of Kheriga (circa 450–410 BCE).TheXanthian Obelisk was probably erected as a pillar supporting the sarcophagus of Kheriga, circa 400 BCE.[1]
Kheriga (in GreekGergis) was a Dynast ofLycia, who ruled circa 450-410 BCE. Kheriga is mentioned on the succession list of theXanthian Obelisk, and is probably the owner of the sarcophagus that was standing on top of it.[1][2]
Kheriga was ruler of Lycia at the time when Lycia was an ally ofAthens in theDelian League. As the power of Athens weakened and Athens and Sparta fought thePeloponnesian wars (431–404 BC), the majority of Lycian cities defaulted from the Delian League, with the exception ofTelmessos andPhaselis. In 429 BC, Athens sent an expedition against Lycia to try to force it to rejoin the League. This failed when Lycia's leader Kheriga (Gergis) defeated Athenian general Melesander.[6][7] The encounter is described in the inscription on the Xanthian Obelisk.[8][9]