Miletus Facts for Kids

The Ionic Stoa on the Sacred Way

Miletus was a very old and important city. It was located on the western coast of what is now Turkey. This ancient city was near the mouth of the Maeander River. Miletus was a big center for trade and new ideas in ancient times.

A City of Thinkers and Trade
- Early Coinage and Economy
- City Planning and Architecture
History of Miletus
- Later Periods
Images for kids
See also

A City of Thinkers and Trade

Miletus was famous for its smart people. One of the most well-known was Thales of Miletus. He was a famous Greek mathematician and astronomer. Thales is often called one of the first true scientists. He tried to understand the world using logic, not just myths.

Early Coinage and Economy

Miletus was also a very rich city. It was one of the first places to use Electrum coins. Electrum is a natural mix of gold and silver. These coins helped Miletus become a powerful trading city. They traded with many different cultures, including the Egyptians. This trade brought new ideas and goods to Miletus.

City Planning and Architecture

Miletus was known for its smart city design. The city had a planned layout with straight streets. This was quite advanced for its time. Many impressive buildings stood in Miletus.

The Ionic Stoa

One important structure was the Ionic Stoa. A stoa was a long building with columns. It was used as a public walkway or meeting place. The Ionic Stoa was part of the Sacred Way. This was a special road leading to the Temple of Apollo in Didyma.

The Market Gate

Another famous structure was the Market Gate of Miletus. This huge gate was once the entrance to the city's market. Today, you can see parts of it in a museum in Berlin, Germany. It shows how grand the city once was.

Ancient Theatre

Miletus also had a large ancient Greek theatre. This theatre was used for plays and performances. It shows how important culture and entertainment were in the city.

Baths of Faustina

The city also had large public baths, like the Baths of Faustina. These baths were not just for washing. They were also places for people to meet, exercise, and relax.

History of Miletus

Miletus had a long and interesting history. It was a major city during the Greek and Roman times.

Later Periods

Over time, Miletus changed hands many times. It was part of the Byzantine Empire for a while. You can still see the remains of the Byzantine Palation Castle there. Later, during the Ottoman period, a beautiful mosque was built in Miletus. This shows how different cultures left their mark on the city.

Images for kids

Map of Miletus and other cities within the Lydian Empire
The Ionic Stoa on the Sacred Way in Miletus
Temple of Apollo in Didyma
Coinage of Miletus at the time of Aristagoras. Late 6th-early 5th century BC.
Electrum coinage of Miletus, circa 600–550 BC.
The plan of Milet in the Classical period
Egyptian artefact found in Miletus
Byzantine Palation Castle
An Ottoman mosque from the Turkish period in Miletus site
The Market Gate of Miletus at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin
Thales of Miletus was a Greek mathematician, astronomer and pre-Socratic philosopher from the city. He is otherwise historically recognized as the first individual known to have entertained and engaged in scientific philosophy
The name Fikellura derives from a site on the island of Rhodes to which this fabric has been attributed. It is now established that the center of production was Miletus.
The name Fikellura derives from a site on the island of Rhodes to which this fabric has been attributed. It is now established that the center of production was Miletus.
Milesian Vase
Milesian Vase
Milesian Vase
Milesian Vase
Sculpture from Baths of Faustina
Faustina Baths in Miletus
The Sacred Way from Miletus with the remains of the stoa
The Ionic Stoa on the Sacred Way
Remains of the stoa connecting the main Bath of Faustina to the Palaestra
Illustration of Miletus
Right entrance of the ancient Greek theatre
Ancient Greek theatre