Introduction Lagina was one of the most important religious centers of ancient Caria. Known throughout the ancient world as the principal sanctuary of the cult of Hecate, it stands as a significant historical sacred site demonstrating how the indigenous religious traditions of Anatolia became integrated into the Hellenistic and Roman worlds. The origins of the cult of Hecate remain uncertain. Nevertheless, many scholars argue that its roots predate the Archaic Period (c. 800–

Introduction With a settlement history spanning more than 2,500 years, Stratonikeia is one of the rare places where the Carian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Beylik, Ottoman, and Republican periods can all be traced within the same geographical setting. The significance of Stratonikeia lies not merely in the succession of civilizations that once inhabited the site, but in the remarkable way the traces they left behind continue to coexist and interact within the same landscap