The
Siege of Halicarnassus was fought between
Alexander the Great and the
Achaemenid Persian Empire in 334 BC. Alexander, who had no navy, was constantly being threatened by the Persian navy. It continuously attempted to provoke an engagement with Alexander, who would have none of it. Eventually, the Persian fleet sailed to
Halicarnassus, in order to establish a new defense.
Ada of Caria, the former queen of Halicarnassus, had been driven from her throne by her younger brother
Pixodarus of Caria. When Pixodarus died, Darius had appointed
Orontobates satrap of Caria, which included Halicarnassus in its jurisdiction. On the approach of Alexander in 334 BC, Ada, who was in possession of the fortress of
Alinda, surrendered the fortress to him.