Miletos

Miletos, also known as Miletus, was an ancient Greek city in Ionia on the western coast of Anatolia, near the delta of the Meander River in what is now western Turkey. It stood opposite the island of Lade and controlled a significant port and hinterland, enabling it to become a major center of trade and navigation in the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. The city developed extensive colonial ties, founding numerous settlements across the Aegean and Black Sea regions, and it was a leading member of the Ionian League.

Culturally and intellectually, Miletos is celebrated as the cradle of Milesian philosophy and science. Thales of Miletus, often regarded as the first philosopher in the Western tradition, and his successors Anaximander and Anaximenes, sought natural explanations for the origins and workings of the cosmos. Hecataeus of Miletus contributed early geographic and historical writing, helping to shape Greek historiography and geography. The city is also associated with the Didyma temple complex, a major religious sanctuary dedicated to Apollo that attracted pilgrims from across the region.

In antiquity, Miletos flourished under various rulers, including the Persians and later Hellenistic and Roman authorities, and remained an important cultural hub. The archaeological site at Balat-Söke preserves remnants of its urban layout, including a large theatre and public buildings, while the nearby Didyma precinct area reflects the region’s religious significance. Today, Balat is near the ancient site in present-day Aydın Province, Turkey.