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Ada of Caria (fl. 377 – 326 BC)[1] was a
member of the House of Hecatomnus (the Hecatomnids) and ruler of Caria during
the mid-4th century BC, first as Persian Satrap and later as Queen under the
auspices of Alexander III (the Great) of Macedon.
Ada was the daughter of Hecatomnus, satrap of Caria, and sister of Mausolus,
Artemisia, Idrieus, and Pixodarus. She was married to her brother Idrieus, who
succeeded Artemisia in 351 and died in 344. On the death of her husband Ada
became satrap of Caria, but was expelled by her brother Pixodarus in 340, who
upon his death in 335 was succeeded by his own son-in-law, the Persian
Orontobates. Ada fled to the fortress of Alinda, where she maintained her rule
in exile. When Alexander the Great entered Caria in 334, Ada adopted Alexander
as her son and surrendered Alinda to him.
Alexander accepted her offer and, in return, gave Ada formal command of the
Siege of Halicarnassus. After the fall
of Halicarnassus, Alexander returned Alinda to Ada and made her queen of all of
Caria. Ada's popularity with the populace in turn ensured the Carians' loyalty
to Alexander.
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