Photographs of Miletus
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The ancient city of Miletus was the oldest and the most powerful of the 12
Ionian cities in Asia Minor. It also founded more than 10 colonies on the shores
of the Marmara and the Black Sea, while its commercial activities extended as far
as Egypt.
The city founded several schools attracting scientists, architects, philosophers
and geographers.
Miletus is the native
city of famous men such as Anaximenes, Hippodamus, Cadmus and Isidorus. The first
coins were minted in this city, exact weight measures were established and the
Phoenician alphabet perfected here.
In 1424, under Sultan Murat II, Miletus became a city of the Ottoman Empire but
as the port silted up caused by detritus brought down by the river Meander, the
city's decline began. Now the remains are partially underwater and the richly
decorated nymphaeum is now preserved in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
The Roman Theatre dating from the second century A.D. could hold 25,000
spectators. The stage was decorated with exceptional sculptures and
friezes and the facade was impressive, measuring 140m. Two columns supported
the imperial box. At the top of the hill behind the Theatre there are
ruins of an ancient Byzantine fortress and a very good view of the rest
of the City
