Miletos

Miletos is one of the oldest cities of Ionia, located north of Soke, about 60 km away from Kusadasi. The city was on the point where the Buyuk Menderes ("Meander") flowed into the Aegean Sea. Due to constant silting, Miletos was often distanced from the sea, which explains why today one can see many different harbours.

Miletos was also the city of many scientists and philosophers such as Thales, Anaximander, Hekataios (principle source to Herodotos) and, Isidorus, the architect of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Miletos had its alphabet recognized by the Greek world as the official Greek alphabet, basis of the current Latin alphabet.

In the 10th century BC, Miletos was invaded by Ionians and the city reached its apogee in the 7th and 6th centuries BC and developed into one of the most significant cities of Ionia. In 494 BC, the Tyrant (prince - governor) of Miletos, Aristagoras, started the "Ionia Rebellion" against the Persians where they enjoyed 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 its trade redeveloped.

In 200 BC, Miletos became the dominion of the Myceneans, a fact that is shown by the style of the ceramics in the houses and the city walls. During the Roman Empire, it became an independent city and later a bishopric in early Christian times. During the Byzantine period Miletos was called "Ania". As of that time, due to geographic and climatic changes, the city completely lost its importance and was eventually 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 harbours) and the amphitheatre.