Turkey 2015

The city of Priene, one of the settlements of Ionia was laid out on Mount Mycale (Samsun) and contained many famous examples of Hellenistic art and architecture. The original location of the city has never been found but it was probably a peninsula with two harbours. ( www.priene.net )

Outside view of Miletus theatre; on top the Byzantine fortress. These are the remains of the ancient theater at Miletus. By the tenth century BC, Miletus was already renowned for its huge population and wealth. An ancient Greek-style theater stood on this location for at least a thousand years before it was remodeled into this mixed Roman-style and Greek-style theater with over 15,000 seats in the 1st century AD. Prior to that remodel, a remodel in the 4th century BC had already enlarged the more intimate ancient Greek theater into a giant with over 5,300 seats. Because Miletus was located on a flat plain near the ocean, there were no hills against which to build the theater. So, the entire structure had to be built from huge stone blocks.

Outside view of Miletus theatre; on top the Byzantine fortress. These are the remains of the ancient theater at Miletus. By the tenth century BC, Miletus was already renowned for its huge population and wealth. An ancient Greek-style theater stood on this location for at least a thousand years before it was remodeled into this mixed Roman-style and Greek-style theater with over 15,000 seats in the 1st century AD. Prior to that remodel, a remodel in the 4th century BC had already enlarged the more intimate ancient Greek theater into a giant with over 5,300 seats. Because Miletus was located on a flat plain near the ocean, there were no hills against which to build the theater. So, the entire structure had to be built from huge stone blocks.

The construction of these baths (161-180 A.D.), one of the bost remarkable buildings in Miletus, was made possible by money donated by Faustina, the wife of the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. ( www.turizm.net )

Miletus is known for its gigantic 25,000-seat Hellenistic theater, reconstructed by the Romans and perhaps the most impressive theater structure in Anatolia. ( www.turkeytravelplanner.com ) Miletus Theater, Turkey Located on the southern edge of the Meander River flood plain, 22 km (14 miles) south of Priene (map), Miletus was an important Ionian city for 1400 years, from about 700 BC to 700 AD.

These are the remains of the ancient theater at Miletus. By the tenth century BC, Miletus was already renowned for its huge population and wealth. An ancient Greek-style theater stood on this location for at least a thousand years before it was remodeled into this mixed Roman-style and Greek-style theater with over 15,000 seats in the 1st century AD. Prior to that remodel, a remodel in the 4th century BC had already enlarged the more intimate ancient Greek theater into a giant with over 5,300 seats. Because Miletus was located on a flat plain near the ocean, there were no hills against which to build the theater. So, the entire structure had to be built from huge stone blocks.

The Great Theatre and Byzantine Fortress

Now in use as a cultural centre.

Located about 11 miles south of the ancient port city of Miletus on the western coast of modern-day Turkey, the Temple of Apollo at Didyma or Didymaion was the fourth largest temple in the ancient Greek world. The temple’s oracle, second in importance only to that at Delphi, played a significant role in the religious and political life of both Miletus and the greater Mediterranean world; many rulers, from Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE) to the Roman emperor Diocletian (244-313 CE) visited or sent delegations to this oracle seeking the guidance and favor of Apollo. The oracle played a significant role in initiating the “Great Persecution” of Christians under Diocletian and the temple was later converted into a church during the 5th or 6th century CE. ( www.ancient.eu )