In Greek mythology, Xanthos ("yellow") was an alternate spelling for Xanthus. It is also a town in Lycia, Turkey, present day Kumluova.
Xanthos is the greek appellation of the name of the city of Arnna, of lycian origin. The name changed several times as differentnations took power. Xanthus is the later roman appellation for the city and the river, as all the -os suffixes have changed to -us during roman occupation. Xanthos is also the name of the river which passes at the banks of the precipice where Xanthos is situated. During the persian invasion the river is called sirbe which means "yellow" like the greek word xanthos, which also means yellow. the fact is, the river is usually yellow because of the alluvial base of the valley. Today Xanthos overlooks the modern turkish village of Kınık. We see the name Xanthos in Iliad as one of the divine horses of Achilleus the greek. edited by: Iqtazhlah of Antiphellos
Xanthos was the capital city of the Lycian Federation and its greatest city for most of Lycian history.
Xanthos was later repopulated but the same gruesome story repeated itself in 42 BC when Brutus attacked the city during the Roman civil wars in order to recruit troops and raise money.
Xanthos stands atop an elevated area within the Xanthos valley with the Xanthos River flowing closely under the city’s west side.