Originally called Latmos, during the 5th century BC the city was listed as a member of the Delian league. Then in the 4th century BC, king Mausolos conquered the town and it was renamed Heraclea. Mausolos is credited with building the impressive walls of Heraclea which were enhanced by Lysimachus around 287 BC and are among the best preserved of this type in the world. The walls had a total length of about 6.5 km with 65 towers which are still remarkably well preserved.
The town was later called Pleistarcheia, a name which is mentioned by Stephanus of Byzantium who writes that the city was originally called Herakleia, then Pleistarcheia, and then Herakleia again. The name Pleistarcheia is attributed to Pleistarchus, brother of king Cassander, who is recorded as being the king of the region of Caria after the battle of Ipsus which took place in 301 BC.
