The Lygdamid dynasty (c. 520–450 BCE) was a dynasty of tyrants in the region of Caria, who were subordinate to the Achaemenid Empire following the conquests of Cyrus the Great through his general Harpagus. The dynasty was founded by Lygdamis, of Carian-Greek ethnicity. The dynasty issued several tyrants, until the last one, Lygdamis II, died c. 454 BCE, after which Halicarnassus joined the Athenian alliance, known as the Delian League. At that time, Halicarnassus started to appear on the Athenian tribute quota lists.