Miletus, Turkey

We recently visited the ruins of Miletus, an important ancient Greek then Roman city, which still boasts an impressive ancient theater among its ruins in modern Turkey. During Alexander the Great’s campaign against the Persian Empire, in 334 BC, the Macedonian conqueror undertook a short siege of the city before its capture. Another great leader, Julius Caesar also visited this city upon his release after being kidnapped by pirates in 75 BC. Caesar headed to Miletus to raise a fleet to pursue his former captors, whom he swiftly defeated and executed.

In its heyday Miletus was a magnificent city renowned for its great philosophers. The city’s success was due in large part to its port which eventually silted up, contributing greatly to its decline.

Today, the 15,000-seater Roman theatre is definitely Miletus’ star attraction.