Miletus

by Günther Eichhorn

Miletus is located at the mouth of the Meander River. It was occupied since the Bronze Age. It was mentioned in Hittite texts. Later it was part of Ionia. In the 7^th century BCE it was an important kingdom, but Lydia was too powerful for Miletus. It remained an important commercial center from 700 BCE to 700 CE. Later the harbor silted up and the importance of Miletus declined. Miletus was home of Thales of Miletus (624 BCE–546 BCE). He was an astronomer, mathematician, and philosopher. He was especially involved in geometry (Thales' Theorem). He is said to have predicted a solar eclipse. The show piece of Miletus is its large, well preserved theater. Close-by is the İlyas Bey Camii, a mosque built in 1404, dating from the period after the Seljuks but before the Ottomans.

The bouleuterion (left) and the southern Agora (right). (462k) Hellenistic Hero's Tomb. (448k) Baths of Faustina. (562k) İlya Bey Camii mosque. (351k) Close-up of the decorations on the mosque. (225k)
Front view of the large Theater. (556k) View from the top of the Theater with the caravanserai. (511k) View of the stage from the top of the Theater. (507k) Detail of the theater seats. (420k)

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The bouleuterion (left) and the southern Agora (right). (462k)	Hellenistic Hero's Tomb. (448k)	Baths of Faustina. (562k)	İlya Bey Camii mosque. (351k)	Close-up of the decorations on the mosque. (225k)
Front view of the large Theater. (556k)	View from the top of the Theater with the caravanserai. (511k)	View of the stage from the top of the Theater. (507k)	Detail of the theater seats. (420k)