MILETUS (city in Ionia)
Ancient city of Ionia, in modern-day Turkey
Described in the sources
Thales, who predicted the eclipse and helped an army cross the Halys river, was from Miletus. Herodotus 1.170.3 +3 Histiaeus held the position of tyrant over Miletus and was a notable figure who opposed Miltiades' plan. Herodotus 4.138.2 +3 Aristagoras, lord of Miletus, traveled there after pleasing news, and a secret message was sent to him there. Herodotus 5.32.1 +2 Aristagoras held the position of tyrant in Miletus. Herodotus 5.30.2 +1 Miletus lay near the waters of the Maeander river, whose flood swept by the area where its people lived. Iliad 2 ¶83 +1 The Naxians traveled to Miletus to request aid from Aristagoras, arriving while the city's tyrant was away. Herodotus 5.30.2 +1 Alabandic stone is found in Miletus, appearing more purple there, and stones resembling those of Alabanda in color are found in the earth near the city. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 36.13 ¶1 +1 The Carians held the city of Miletus. Iliad 2 ¶83 The city is home to the Ionian people. Theocritus, Idyl 28 ¶2 Miletus is described as a place of gladness. Theocritus, Idyl 28 ¶2
Gods and worship
The city possessed a shrine dedicated to Didyma. Herodotus 6.19.2 Miletus is said to have no rival in the quality of its bridal bed canopies. Athenaeus 1.50
Stories and history
The Persians captured the city after besieging it from both the sea and the land, mining the walls and using various devices to breach the defenses. Herodotus 6.18.1 +2 Carians and Leleges settled the area with Cretan help and occupied the site before the Ionians. Strabo 12.8.5 +1 The city was attacked and besieged by an army sent by the subject's father's successor, leaving it empty of its Milesian inhabitants. Herodotus 1.17.1 +1 Histiaeus wished to return to Ionia. Pausanias 10.33.2 Histiaeus sought admission to the councils of Dareius. Pausanias 10.33.2 Miletus shares a common language with Myus and Priene. Herodotus 1.142.3 The inhabitants were enslaved following the city's fall. Herodotus 6.18.1 Miletus was known to be a city lacking significant wealth. Herodotus 5.36.3 Cardamums are listed as a product originating from Miletus. Athenaeus 1.50 The Milesians suffered greatly at the hands of the Persians. Herodotus 6.21.1
Myths set at Miletus
- The Transformation into a Spring. Byblis, a figure from Miletus, is associated with a sweet fountain and the love sung by poets. She sets out to follow her beloved but collapses in grief, ultimately dissolving into a spring. Ovid Met. 9.426-665 (11) +4 Byblis