The Ancient City of Miletus is an ancient city located near the Didim district of the Aydın province of Türkiye and was an important center of culture, science and trade in the ancient world. Known as one of the leading cities of Ionia in the 7th century BC, Miletus gained great fame in ancient times, especially with its achievements in the fields of philosophy, science and architecture. This city, where famous philosophers such as Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes lived, is known as the "birthplace of philosophy".

History of Miletus

Miletus was a major trade center as a port city on the Aegean Sea in ancient times. However, over time, it moved away from the sea with the alluviums carried by the Büyük Menderes River. This natural change caused it to lose its commercial importance. The city continued its development during the Lydian, Persian, Hellenistic kingdoms and Roman Empire periods. During the Roman period, Miletus attracted attention with its large building projects.

Prominent Structures and Features

1. Miletus Theatre: Built during the Hellenistic period and expanded during the Roman period, the theatre has a capacity of approximately 15,000 people. With its impressive acoustics and large capacity, Miletus Theatre was used for public events, meetings and shows.

2. Miletus Agora: The centre of commercial and social life of Miletus, the agora was a place where people gathered with its large market area and surrounding shops. The agora is an important structure reflecting the economic and social life of the city.

3. Miletus Ancient Port: Miletus was an important centre for maritime trade, but due to the alluviums carried by the rivers, the port has lost its function and turned into a plain. In ancient times, this port was the most important element supporting Miletus' trade relations.

4. Temple of Apollo: The Temple of Apollo, located in Didyma near Miletus, is one of the largest and most famous temples of the ancient world. Religious ceremonies were held along the sacred road from Miletus to Didyma, and it was considered an important oracle centre.

5. Miletus Museum: The artifacts unearthed in the excavations carried out in the ancient city of Miletus are exhibited in the Miletus Museum. Sculptures, ceramics, inscriptions and other archaeological findings can be seen here.

Philosophy and Science Center

Miletus is known as the city where philosophy was born. Natural philosophers Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes, known as the **Miletus School**, lived here and made the first scientific and philosophical inquiries about the nature of the universe. Miletian philosophers examined the structure of the universe within the framework of observation, logic and natural laws, and laid the foundations of modern science. For this reason, Miletus has a special place in the history of Western thought.

City Planning and Architecture

Miletus was reorganized with a grid plan by the famous city planner **Hippodamos**. In this system, known as the Hippodamic plan, the city's main roads intersect each other perpendicularly and create residential areas with a regular structure. This system is a method that will also be used in the Roman Empire and modern city planning.

Visit Information

The ancient city of Miletus is open to visitors today with its well-preserved structures. The theater, agora, harbor ruins and other structures can be visited. Miletus, which is visited especially in the summer months, can be included in a tour route together with other historical sites and natural beauties in Didim.

The Importance of Miletus

Miletus is a city that was the center of science, philosophy and trade in ancient times and pioneered in architecture and urban planning. The fact that philosophers who played an important role in the development of Western thought were raised here increases the importance of the city in world history. Today, the ancient city of Miletus offers a unique area of ​​discovery for history and archaeology enthusiasts.