Menecrates of Xanthus (Μενεκράτης ὁ Ξάνθιος) was a Greek historian from the Lycian city of Xanthus who lived during the 4th century BCE [1]. Beyond this origin and period, no details of his life survive.

His only known work is the Foundation of Naxos (Νάξου κτίσις), a local history concerning the Greek island of Naxos. The work is lost and survives only in fragments and testimonia [1][2].

Menecrates is significant as a source for later writers. His foundation narrative was used by Callimachus in the Aetia and is cited by Strabo regarding Naxos's colonization [1][2]. He represents the genre of local historiography (ktisis) that preserved regional myths and traditions.

Sources 1. Brill's New Pauly (via Oxford Research Encyclopedias): https://oxfordre.com/classics/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-4047 2. Perseus Digital Library, Strabo, Geography 10.5.3: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Strab.+10.5.3&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0239