Εμφανίζονται 13 τίτλοι με αναζήτηση: Αρχαιολογικοί χώροι για το τοπωνύμιο: "ΜΙΛΗΤΟΣ Αρχαία πόλη ΤΟΥΡΚΙΑ".
Site: Miletus
Type: Bouleuterion
Summary: Council house consisting of a rectangular hall with semi-circular
rows of seats, a peristyle courtyard in front, and a propylon; located in the
city center between the north agora and the south agora.
Date: ca. 175 B.C. - 164 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
The complex consists of three main elements: a propylon at the east facade, a
rectangular courtyard with interior colonnade around its north, east and south
sides, and the bouleuterion or council hall located at the west (rear) of the
complex. The propylon had four prostyle Corinthian columns in front of antae;
an additional two Corinthian columns, corresponding to the central two of the
facade, stood in the Doric colonnade of the courtyard. The bouleuterion itself
is a rectangular hall, oriented roughly north-south. It was entered via four doors
from the courtyard to the east, and through two doorways in the west wall. Within
the hall are eighteen rows of stone seats, slightly greater than a semi-circle.
Four radiating flights of steps provide access to the seats from the orchestra
area; additional stairs lead to the upper seats from the rear corners of the building.
The seating capacity was ca. 1200-1500. Two pairs of Ionic columns on pedestals
originally helped support the roof; later, wooden posts were added.
History:
The building complex is securely dated to the years 175 - 164 B.C., through the
evidence of two dedication inscriptions preserved on the architrave of the bouleuterion
itself and the architrave of the propylon. The inscription records that two brothers,
Timarchos and Herakleides, dedicated the building, on behalf of Antiochus IV Epiphanes,
to Apollo of Didyma, Hestia Bulaia and the demos of Miletus. Restorations and
renovations to the bouleuterion include the following: an additional door added
in the east wall; the restoration of the rows of seats and the extension of the
rows to a horseshoe formation; and the erection of a structure in the center of
the courtyard. These restorations probably date to the Augustan period. In the
late empire, a mosaic floor was laid parallel to the east wall of the bouleuterion,
and the courtyard was paved with marble slabs. In the center of the Doric courtyard
is a monumental structure, most recently and convincingly interpreted as an altar,
not a funerary monument Tuchelt 1975, 91-140. The altar has a socle carved with
bucrania and garlands, a Corinthian colonnade in front of slabs carved with mythological
scenes, and a central flight of steps, in the tradition of Hellenistic altars
such as the Great Altar at Pergamon. The Miletus altar probably dates to the Augustan
period, and is associated with the emergence of the Imperial cult in the east.
Other Notes:
The text of the inscription from the architrave of the propylon (more complete
than that from the bouleuterion) is restored as follows: [TIMARCHO]SK[AIERAKLEIDE]SOIERAKLEIDOUUPERBAS[ILEOSA]NTIOCHOUEPIPHAN[OUSAPO]LLONIDIDUMEIKAIESTIAIBO[U]LAIAIKAITOIDEMOI
"Timarchos and Herakleides, sons of Herakleides, (dedicated the building) on behalf
of King Antiochus Epiphanes, to Apollo of Didyma, Hestia Bulaia, and the Demos."
A number of inscriptions from the Hellenistic and Roman periods are preserved
in the colonnade of the courtyard, and on the antae of the propylon: cf. Knackfuss
1908, 100-122. Fragments of two monumental marble tripods were found in the council
chamber and in the courtyard; they may have stood in the two rear corners of the
chamber, at the upper level. At the south end of the passageway inside the east
wall of the bouleuterion is a small underground chamber covered with a heavy marble
slab; the skeletons discovered inside it are probably later burials, and the excavators
interpret the chamber as a treasury. The construction of a bouleuterion as an
element of an architectural complex with a pronounced facade (the propylon) prefigures
developments in Roman architecture. The use of the elaborate Corinthian capitals
in the propylon suggests links with other Seleucid dedications in Asia Minor and
elsewhere in the Hellenistic period: for example, the Temple of Olympian Zeus
at Athens, the Temple of Apollo at Didyma, and the Temple of Zeus Olbios at Olba/Diokaisareia
(located in the sphere of Seleucid influence).
Sarah Cormack, ed.
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Site: Miletus
Type: Sanctuary
Summary: The sanctuary of Apollo Delphinios is a rectangular temenos
enclosure bordered by two-aisled stoas at the north, east and south. The sanctuary
is situated to the north-east of the North Market of Miletus, close to the Lion
Harbor.
Date: ca. 340 B.C. - 320 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
In plan, the sanctuary consists of an open, rectangular temenos area with two-aisled
stoas at the north, east and south. The north and south porticoes were bisected
by a cross-wall. At the west, a wall with two doorways formed a boundary for the
temenos; the wall was later replaced by another portico. Within the temenos are
located semi-circular exedrae or votive benches, a round temple or monopteros
dating to the Roman period, and a rectangular altar.
History:
Since the cult of Apollo Delphinios is Cretan in origin, it is assumed that a
sanctuary existed at Miletus for the worship of Apollo Delphinios from the period
of the earliest settlers. There is literary evidence for a Delphinion at Miletus
in the sixth century B.C., Diogenes Laertius 1.29, although the earliest remains
at the site of the present Delphinion date to the fifth century B.C., and the
location and form of the archaic sanctuary are uncertain. The earliest preserved
remains at the Delphinion are the rectangular altar with volute acroteria, and
a number of marble round altars; these predate the Persian destruction of 494
B.C. It is thought that the round altars were collected from various locations
and brought to the Delphinion at this time. In the fifth century B.C., when Miletus
was rebuilt, the Delphinion took the form of a small rectangular enclosure of
ca. 30 x 45 m., which was bordered by stoas at the north and south. Fragments
of archaic building materials were reused. In the late fourth century B.C., the
sanctuary was renovated and enlarged, expanding to the east and now measuring
ca. 61 x 51 m. New two-aisled stoas with inner and outer colonnades of the Doric
order were built at the north, east and south sides, while the west side was closed
off with a wall. In the late Hellenistic period, the enclosure was made completely
peristylar with the addition of a one-aisled stoa at the west. In the mid-second
century A.D., a circular shrine or monopteros was constructed in the temenos,
and the porticoes were altered to single-aisled colonnades with Corinthian capitals.
A propylon was also erected in the middle of the west side.
Other Notes:
The annual Spring procession which went from Miletus to the Temple of Apollo at
Didyma began at the Delphinion. The architectural form of the sanctuary, an open
court, was appropriate for a gathering place and for the performance of sacrifices.
The numerous inscriptions (dating from the archaic to the late Roman periods)
preserved on the walls of the Delphinion indicate that the sanctuary also functioned
as the city archive. For the inscriptions, see Kawerau and Rehm 1914, 162-406.
One inscription Kawerau and Rehm 1914, no. 32 refers to the construction of a
"new" portico; the inscription is dated to ca. 340-320 B.C. and thus not only
provides a date for the construction of the Hellenistic porticoes but also indicates
that an earlier portico (or porticoes) stood on the site.
Sarah Cormack, ed.
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Site: Miletus
Type: Fortification
Summary: A fortification wall containing curtains and towers, enclosing
the classical city of Miletus within the peninsula north of the Kalabaktepe.
Date: ca. 411 B.C. - 150 B.C.
Period: Late Clas./Hell.
Plan:
The late-fifth century circuit wall, preserved in the east, is zig-zag in plan;
it is unclear whether or not it contained towers. The southern cross wall, which
forms the southern boundary of classical Miletus, consists of indented traces
separated by square towers. There are eight curtains and nine square towers. The
excavators postulate that beyond the southern cross wall, ditches and outworks
further protected the wall, which ran across relatively open and level ground.
To the east and west, the fortification wall continues in a north-south direction,
punctuated by square towers and sections of indented trace. The fortification
wall also protected the city at the north. In places, the city wall contains chambers
interpreted either as storage rooms for artillery, or as guardrooms. Staircases
at intervals on the interior of the wall led to the various levels of the towers,
and to the parodos. Significant city structures, notably the theater and stadium,
are built into the city wall at the west. At the eastern extension of the southern
cross wall, a monumental gateway, the Sacred Gate, marked the entrance and exit
of the Sacred Way to Didyma. This Sacred Gate, in both its early and late phases,
consisted of an arcuated passageway flanked by monumental square towers. In the
eastern stretch of wall is the second monumental gateway of Miletus, the Lion
Gate.
History:
The history of the fortifications of Miletus is complex. A late Mycenaean wall,
dating to pre-1000 B.C., has been detected near the Harbor by the Theater. Early
fortifications protected the Kalabaktepe to the south of the peninsula of classical
Miletus; these archaic walls may date to ca. 650 B.C., and were restored after
ca. 550 B.C. The earliest circuit to enclose the classical city of Miletus is
dated between 411 and 402 B.C., at which time the wall also was extended to the
Kalabaktepe. The line of the first Sacred Gate reveals the line of the earliest
circuit wall; it is unclear whether this earliest circuit contained towers, as
at Priene, or not. The section of wall which is built into the theater predates
ca. 300 B.C. The best-preserved section of the city wall of Miletus, the southern
cross-wall, which protects the peninsula, was built in the Hellenistic period,
in ca. 200-190 B.C. This section underwent a significant restoration, originally
dated by von Gerkan 1935, 125 to ca. 88 B.C., but perhaps occurring as early as
ca. 150 B.C. Winter 1971, 278. At ca. 200-190 B.C., a new Sacred Gate was built
to the north of the old gate; its towers constituted the first towers in the southern
cross wall. In the first and second centuries A.D., the necessity for a defensive
wall was less great; however, alterations to the Sacred Gate continued, some of
its rooms functioning as part of the city's water supply system. In the late third
century A.D., incursions of invaders into Asia Minor led to the restoration of
the city wall. A section of wall dating to the time of Justinian extends along
the north of the Miletus,South Market . In the Byzantine period, sections of the
wall were rebuilt, and a castle was constructed incorporating the upper levels
of the theater.
Sarah Cormack, ed.
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Site: Miletus
Type: Stoa
Summary: A rectangular level area in the middle of the peninsula
of Miletus, near the Bay of Lions; gradually enclosed by stoas, forming a commercial
center for the city.
Date: ca. 350 B.C. - A.D. 160
Period: Hellenistic/Roman
Plan:
In plan, the North Market consists of a rectangular space enclosed at the north
and west by an L-shaped stoa, and at the south and west by a second L-shaped stoa.
Both stoas were one-aisled; the north stoa had rows of shops behind its north
and west wings, while the south stoa had none. In the middle of the west wall
of the Market stood a small building interpreted as a temple, with square cella,
deep pronaos and four Ionic prostyle columns. An enclosing wall, built later,
also ran along the east side of the Market, with a columnar gateway in the middle.
History:
The level area which the North Market occupies was set aside as a market location
during the rebuilding of Miletus following the Persian destruction. The earliest
building in the vicinity of the North Market is a rectangular structure built
of gneiss, located to the south-west of the market. This may have functioned as
the prytaneion in the fourth century B.C. In the late fourth century B.C., a long
stoa was built to the north, near the harbor (the so-called Stoa by the Harbor).
Probably at about the same date the first of the stoas of the North Market, the
north L-shaped stoa, was constructed. Behind this one-aisled L-shaped stoa to
the west was a peristyle court, which may have served as the first commercial
market for the city and probably constitutes the earliest market court in the
ancient world. There are no traces of building activity at the North Market in
the third century B.C. In the mid-second century B.C., an additional L-shaped,
one-aisled stoa was built, running along the south and west of the North Market.
Thus the market was now enclosed by a horseshoe-shaped complex of stoas. In the
mid-first century B.C. an enclosing wall with a central columnar gateway was built
along the east of the North Market; previously this area had remained open. In
the second century A.D. the east side of the North Market was more completely
enclosed by means of a row of rooms, most likely shops. Also dating to the Roman
period is the addition of an upper story to the south L-shaped stoa.
Other Notes:
A number of monuments from various periods were erected in the North Market: in
the center are the poros foundations of a square structure, probably the Market
Altar. In the north-west of the courtyard area are the foundations of an inscribed
stele, the so-called "Blood Inscription," dating to the fifth century B.C., in
which the overthrown oligarchs are proscribed (von Gerkan 1922, 100 no. 187).
Sarah Cormack, ed.
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Site: Miletus
Type: Altar
Summary: Rectangular altar building with projecting staircase leading
to the altar terrace; located at the shore at ancient Cape Poseidon (modern Tekagac)
south of Miletus and ca. 7 km. distant from Didyma.
Date: ca. 575 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
The altar building consists of two rectangular forms, the altar terrace itself
and the adjoining staircase of six steps. The altar is oriented to the east, and
the entrance via the staircase is at the west. The sacrificial altar itself stood
on the altar terrace, close to the east wall.
History:
The altar was constructed in the first half of the sixth century B.C. Strabo records
that it was built by Neleus, mythical founder of Miletus. Strabo 14.633. Although
this is apocryphal, it probably indicates that a cult to Poseidon existed at the
location since earliest times. The altar shows no evidence of restoration or reconstruction,
and probably stood intact until the Byzantine period, when an earthquake may have
damaged it extensively. Thereafter, the marble blocks of the superstructure were
taken away, probably by sea, for reuse elsewhere.
Other Notes:
A round marble statue base of archaic form was found in the vicinity of the altar.
Other small finds include coins, pottery fragments, and Hellenistic and Roman
glass fragments, indicating that dedications were made at the altar over a number
of centuries.
Sarah Cormack, ed.
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Site: Miletus
Type: Stoa
Summary: Rectangular market area in center of city, south of the
North Market and the Bouleuterion. Bordered at the east by a long portico, and
at the north and south by two L-shaped stoas.
Date: ca. 280 B.C. - 150 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
In plan, the South Market is a large, rectangular space defined by stoas. At the
east extends a long portico with three rows of rooms behind it; at the north is
a two-aisled L-shaped stoa without additional rooms; and at the south, a second
two-aisled L-shaped stoa with a single row of rooms behind the south wing.
History:
The planning of the South Market at Miletus dates to slightly later than the North
Market at Miletus . The first structure built here was the long east portico with
its three rows of shops; this building was most likely funded by Antiochos I in
the early third century B.C. Sometime in the third or second century B.C. the
two L-shaped stoas at the north and south were built, possibly in imitation of
the L-shaped stoas of the North Market. The north L-shaped stoa appears to have
been built before that in the south. The appearance of the South Market in the
late Hellenistic period evolved gradually, in a similar manner to the North Market,
and may not have been anticipated by fourth-century planners. Construction continued
at the South Market throughout the Roman period, most notably with the erection
of the monumental and elaborate Market Gate in the north-east corner. The Roman
restorations to the South Market had the effect of reducing the area to a fully
enclosed square, with the construction of gateways in the north-east and south-east
connecting the stoas.
Other Notes:
The interpretation of the South Market as the political agora of Miletus is open
to question, although statue bases of leading figures of the Hellenistic and Roman
periods were erected in the colonnades of the east portico. The east portico is
interpreted by the excavators as a shopping area, and may be the STOASTADIAIA"Stoa
of a stade," referred to in an inscription from Didyma. In the north east corner
of the South Market, underneath the location of the elaborate Market Gate dating
to the second century A.D., are the remains of a double Corinthian portico dedicated
to Laodike by the people of Miletus - probably Laodike II, wife of Antiochos II
(261-246 B.C.) The building is probably a Hellenistic fountain house. The South
Agora covered an area equivalent to twenty city blocks or insulae at the site,
and was designed to conform to the grid pattern city plan.
Sarah Cormack, ed.
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Site: Miletus
Type: Stadium
Summary: A rectangular stadium, without curved ends, located in
the west of the peninsula of Miletus, to the south of the Harbor by the Theater.
Date: ca. 166 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
The stadium conforms to the grid of the city plan of Miletus, and is oriented
east-west. The stadium consists of two rectangular blocks of seats which flank
the central arena or running track. At the west is a distyle in antis propylon
of Ionic order, on seven steps, built on axis with the stadium and linking it
to an unexcavated building; at the east, a monumental double colonnade of eight
monolithic Corinthian columns dates to the late Roman period.
History:
The stadium was constructed during the reign of Eumenes II, in the first half
of the second century B.C. The unexcavated building to the west of the stadium
is a gymnasium, tentatively named the Gymnasium of Eumenes II, connected to the
stadium by a propylon; thus the stadium, propylon and gymnasium originally constituted
a building complex dating to ca. 160 B.C. In the first century B.C., the northern
parodos wall of the stadium was renovated, and at this time a second series of
starting blocks was laid down at the east and west ends of the arena. In the Trajanic
or Antonine period, the gymnasium at the west end of the stadium was restored,
as was the propylon, and there were further renovations at the east end of the
stadium, notably the staircase leading up to the rows of seats. In the third century
A.D. a monumental double-colonnaded gateway with Corinthian columns was built
across the east end of the stadium. In the sixth century A.D. the new fortifications
of Miletus incorporated the stadium into their circuit.
Other Notes:
The fact that the stadium conforms to the grid plan of Miletus has led some scholars
to conclude that when the city was newly laid out in ca. 479 B.C., space was already
allocated for the stadium. The fact that the stadium was not constructed until
the second century B.C., however, is clear from its building inscription, architectural
details, and relationship to the gymnasium to the west. The stadium lacks the
curved ends or sphendone typical of stadia of the Roman period, and is similar
to the groundplans of the stadia at Olympia, Epidauros and Priene. Another similarity
between the stadium at Miletus and the Stadium at Priene is the form and arrangement
of the starting blocks or APHESIS, although their exact mechanism remains unclear.
Sarah Cormack, ed.
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Site: Miletus
Type: Temple
Summary: Peripteral Ionic temple in south-west of city, constructed
on a terrace; unusual north-south orientation.
Date: ca. 480 B.C. - 450 B.C.
Period: Classical
Plan:
Only the foundations of the temple are preserved. Its reconstruction is, therefore,
hypothetical, and is based on probable proportions and assumed relationship to
the foundation walls, rather than on the evidence of preserved architectural elements.
The most recent proposal restores the groundplan as follows: above a massive terraced
structure stood the temple, with cella, deep pronaos, and peristyle of Ionic columns.
The temple was distyle in antis, with a dipteral facade of eight columns, and
fourteen columns along the flanks. The earlier reconstruction showing the temple
as 6 x 10 with a tall podium and frontal steps (von Gerkan 1925) is probably incorrect.
History:
Finds in the area such as pottery, votives of bronze and terracotta, and bronze
griffin protomes indicate that a sanctuary or cult center to Athena existed here
from at least the archaic period, if not even earlier. Buildings of the Mycenaean
and archaic period (houses?) are attested in the vicinity, but their relationship
to the temple is unclear. In the archaic period (7th c. B.C.) a smaller temple
to Athena was erected on the site, oriented east-west; this was destroyed when
the newer temple was built. Sometime in the fifth century B.C., the second temple
to Athena was built on the site, and its orientation was altered to conform to
the new city plan. In the late Hellenistic period, a peristyle house was built
adjacent to the temple peribolos at the west; in the Roman period, additions to
this house encroached even further on the temple area. In the Hellenistic period
the construction of the West Agora of Miletus, to the north of the Temple of Athena,
imposed further boundaries on the temple area. In the Imperial period, shops or
small workrooms were built to the east of the temple, and directly over the eastern
temple two vaulted rooms were constructed. It is unlikely that the temple was
still standing in the Roman Imperial period; it has been suggested that the temple
was systematically destroyed to provide construction material for the buildings
of the Roman period.Mallwitz 1975, 88.
Other Notes:
Although there is very little of the temple preserved beyond the foundations,
Mallwitz's reconstruction of the temple as an Ionic pseudodipteral temple with
dipteral facade, on a two- or three-stepped stylobate, seems much more convincing
than von Gerkan's reconstruction of the temple with 6 x 10 columns and a frontal
staircase. A podium temple with frontal steps would be unusual at this early date,
whereas Mallwitz's reconstruction not only is supported by the proportions of
the foundations, but also fits comfortably into the tradition of dipteral and
pseudo-dipteral Ionic temple architecture in Asia Minor.
Sarah Cormack, ed.
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Site: Miletus
Type: Temple
Summary: Small archaic temple, oriented to the south, located on
the Kalabaktepe, north of the theater.
Date: ca. 525 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
The temple is distyle in antis.
History:
The temple dates to the archaic period, to the late 6th century B.C., and did
not undergo later restorations.
Other Notes:
The terracotta simas of the pediment have an ovolo profile, painted alternately
red and black with white darts; above the ovolo is a painted chevron and meander
design, and below the ovolo is a painted astragal painted red and white with rectangular
beads. The terracotta antefixes are molded with Medusa heads, lion's heads and
lotus flowers in relief above a guilloche design.
Sarah Cormack, ed.
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Site: Miletus
Type: Theater
Summary: Theater with horseshoe-shaped cavea, and stage-building
of many different periods; built into a hill between the Bay of Lions and the
Theater Harbor.
Date: ca. 300 B.C. - 133 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic/Roman
Plan:
The cavea of the theater originally consisted of three tiers each containing twenty
rows of seats; the lowest tier is divided into five cunei or wedges by stairs,
the second tier into ten wedges, and the upper tier had twenty wedges. This uppermost
tier was destroyed with the construction of a mediaeval citadel in this location.
The stage building underwent numerous transformations from the fourth century
B.C. to the late third century A.D.; a significant feature of the plan of the
theater is the incorporation of the rear wall of the stage building into the circuit
of the city walls.
History:
The stage building and the cavea of the theater underwent significant transformations
over time. Although the preserved remains date to the Roman period, the Hellenistic
phases of construction are understood. Four phases of construction of the Hellenistic
stage building have been recognized. The earliest skene, dating to ca. 300 B.C.,
was built along the line of the city wall. This skene may have had an upper story
or episcenium, but had no central door in its lower story, only two flanking doors.
There is no archaeological evidence for a proscenium for this first stage building,
but the excavators propose a proscenium articulated with Doric half-columns and
pilasters, via analogy with the proscenium of the Theater at Priene . Shortly
after the construction of the first stage building (ca. 300-250 B.C.) alterations
were carried out, resulting in a much longer skene. During this period, there
were four doors in the lower story and three in the upper story. The proscenium
at this phase is reconstructed as being wider than the stage building, and having
a facade articulated by 16 columns, although this is hypothetical. The third phase
of construction, dated by the excavators to sometime before the mid-second century
B.C., resulted in significant changes to the stage building: a central door was
opened in the lower story, the entire skene was widened again through the addition
of wings at left and right, and the facade of the upper story was opened up with
the addition of wide doors or thyromata. This change was probably prompted by
the alteration in dramatic action which occurred at this time; the Theater at
Priene also experienced similar renovations to accommodate the demands of New
Comedy. With the shift of action from the circular orchestra to the roof of the
stage building, the facade of the upper story of the stage building became the
backdrop for the action. Five large doorways or thyromata were opened up in this
third phase; these doors were the location of stage scenery, and allowed the actors
to enter and exit. Wooden stairs at left and right allowed access to this upper
level. There is no direct evidence for alteration of the proscenium of the third
stage - the existing proscenium may have been widened to accord with the greater
dimensions of the stage building. The final Hellenistic stage building was probably
necessitated by the need to provide an adequate logeion. Again, the entire stage
building was widened. Only the central doorway of the lower story was left open;
the others were filled in, making the chambers of the lower story inaccessible
and emphasizing their function now as only the substruction for the more important
upper story. Stone steps which led up to the logeion, and which were originally
thought to belong to the fourth construction phase, are now known to date to the
Roman period. The basic outline of the seats in the lower tiers of the cavea is
thought to date to the Hellenistic period, although little is preserved of the
Hellenistic cavea. In the Flavian period and again in the late second century
A.D. the stage building was further elaborated.
Other Notes:
The theater in its Roman phase represented one of the largest in Asia Minor, with
a seating capacity for ca. 15,000 people. Sculptural decoration from the Hellenistic
theater, possibly from the second skene, includes relief blocks carved with Macedonian
shields and other weapons. A frieze depicting hunting erotes is ascribed to the
School of Aphrodisias, and is dated to the third century A.D.
Sarah Cormack, ed.
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Region: Ionia
Periods: Late Bronze Age, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman
Type: Fortified city and port
Summary: A great maritime power, center of science and philosophy
in the Archaic period, and a major port in later periods.
Physical Description:
The original topographical position of Miletus was on a peninsula
at the S side of the opening to the Latmian Gulf. The natural harbors of the site
gained additional shelter from the offshore island of Lade to the W. In contrast
to Ephesus, Smyrna, and other Anatolian ports situated at the opening of broad
valleys leading to the interior, Miletus had mountainous terrain at its back.
The city was therefore more completely maritime in character and when silt deposited
by the Maeander River closed the gulf and extended the shore line (today it is
ca. 10 km beyond Miletus), the economy collapsed. The early Archaic city of Miletus
appears to have been centered around the temple of Athena, located between the
southwestern Athena harbor and the central Theater harbor. After the Persian destruction
in the beginning of the 5th century B.C. the city rebuilt and made extensive use
of the grid system developed by the Milesian architect Hippodamos. The city center
moved toward the NE, to the area between the base of the Lions harbor and E of
the Theater harbor. The remains of the Hellenistic and Roman city cover all of
the flat area of the peninsula N of the Kalabak Tepe and were enclosed by a city
wall completed in the 4th century B.C. The larger Athena and Theater harbors were
backed by the city wall, but the narrower, more defendable Lion harbor allowed
an opening in the city wall. This was sealed by a chain in time of danger. In
addition to the three W harbors at Miletus ships could also be landed on the east
side of the city. The Lion harbor was the principal port of the city and was surrounded
on three sides by quays, warehouses, and shops. At the S base of the Lion harbor
is the North agora and the sanctuary of Apollo. Below the North agora is the South
agora (the largest agora in the Greek world: 164 x 196 m) and the civic center
of the city. Located here are the bouleuterion, major temples and hero shrines,
the nymphaeum, and the starting point of the Didyma sacred way. West of the South
agora are the Baths of Faustina (the only structure not aligned to the city grid
system) and the West gymnasium. Farther W, between the Athena and Theater harbors
is the West agora, the latest of the city's three market places. The West agora
is immediately N of the temple of Athena. North of the Theater harbor is the theater
of Miletus, originally built in the 4th century B.C. and enlarged in the Hellenistic
and Roman periods to a final capacity of 15,000 seats.
Description:
According to tradition, Miletus was first founded as a trading
post by colonists from the Cretan city of Milatos sometime before 1400 B.C. The
site appears to have passed into Mycenaean control and finally by the end of the
Late Bronze Age into Carian hands. Miletus was the only Ionian city mentioned
by Homer, who records that the Carian-led Miletians fought against the Greeks
at Troy. Archaeological excavations at Kalabak Tepe, to the SW of the site, verify
the early Minoan and Mycenaean presence. The refounding of Miletus, early in the
Iron Age, was traditionally credited to Neleus, a son of the legendary King Kodros
of Athens. Neleus and the Ionian Greeks occupied the city, slaughtered the Carian
males, and took the women as mates. Because of its important maritime location
and its proximity to the famous sanctuary of Apollo at Didyma, Miletus prospered
as a trading center. During the 8th and 7th centuries B.C., Miletus established
over 90 colonies throughout the E Aegean; from Naucratis in Egypt to Sinope on
the Black Sea. The trade and international contacts of Miletus brought a prosperity
and cosmopolitan character to the city. In the Archaic period Miletus was a major
center for the early development of Greek science and philosophy. By the 6th century
B.C. the city had grown in size and extended from the original site on Kalabak
Tepe to the area of the harbor of the Lions. The city was renouned throughout
the Greek world and was the most important of the 12 cities in the Panionian League.
Although Miletus seems to have had special privileges under Persian rule, it took
an active part in the Ionian revolt of 500-494 B.C. Following the Greek defeat
at the naval battle of Lade in 494 B.C., the Persians destroyed Miletus and killed
or enslaved all the inhabitants. At the same time the sanctuary of Apollo at Didyma
was also plundered and destroyed. In 480 B.C. Greek victory over the Persians
restored freedom to the Ionian cities. Miletus joined the Delian League and regained
much of its former status. The previous prosperity of Miletus, however, had been
based on its sea trade which was hindered by the rise of Athenian naval supremacy.
In 386 B.C. the Ionian cities again came under Persian control as a result of
the Kings' Peace settlement. In 334 B.C., in the course of freeing the Ionian
cities from Persian rule, Alexander the Great defeated the Persian garrison at
Miletus. During the Hellenistic period Miletus passed under the control of a number
of dynasties, finally being presented to the Romans by the last Attalid king.
Under Roman rule, Miletus had the status of a free city and continued to flourish
until the 4th century A.D. when the silting of the Maeander delta closed the harbors
and created a swamp at the former shore line. Miletus had always been predominately
a maritime city and the loss of its harbors terminated the life of the city. In
the Byzantine period a fortress was constructed on the upper ruins of the theater.
Exploration:
German excavations began at Miletus at the end of the 19th
century and continue to the present.
Donald R. Keller, ed.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 39 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
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