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Miletos is one of the oldest cities of Ionia, located North of
Soke, about 60
km from Kusadasi. The city was the point where the Buyuk Menderes ("Meander") flew into the Aegean sea.
Because of the alluviums, Miletos has been remote several times from sea, which explains that one can see today different harbors.
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| Miletos was also the city of many scientists and philosophers such as
Thales, Anaximander, Hekataios (principle source to Herodotos) and closer to us,
Isidorus, the architect of St. Sofia in Istanbul. And had its alphabet recognized by the Greek
world as the official Greek alphabet, basis of the current Latin alphabet. In the Xth BC, Miletos has been invaded by Ionians and the city reached its apogee in the VIIth and VIth centuries and developed in one of the most significant cities of Ionia. |
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In 494 BC, the Tyran (prince - governor) of Miletos,
Aristagoras,
started the "Ionia Rebellion" against the Persians where they collected some success at first but at the end lost the war. The Persians demolished the city and sent its habitants to Mesopotamia. In 344 BC, Alexander the Great invaded the city and had it
trade redeveloped. In 200 BC, Miletos became the dominion of the Myceneans, fact that is shown by the style of the ceramics in the houses and the city walls. |
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| During the Roman Empire, it became an independent city and later a bishopric at early Christian times.
During the Byzantine period Miletos was called "Ania". As of that time, due to geographic and climatic changes, it completely lost of its importance and was to be abandoned.
The most important monuments to be seen at Miletos are: the Bath of Faustina, the Delphinion (small temple dedicated to Apollo
Delphinion, protector of ships and harbors) and the amphitheater. |
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Didyma,
Miletos and Priene Tour
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Ephesus