Miletos: Archaeology and History (Cities of the Ancient World)

Miletos, on the coast of Asia Minor, was one of the most important of the Greek poleis - a key economic power as well as a centre of philosophy and learning. Yet with historical sources scarce, and the mass of archaeological work done in the past century inaccessible in English, studying the city has not always been straightforward. Alan Greaves puts this right with a welcome survey of the origins and development of Miletos from prehistory to its medieval decline. He focuses in particular on the archaic era, when Miletos enjoyed its greatest influence and prosperity. Archaeological evidence is accessibly presented throughout, and useful case studies explore a wide range of issues including the physical environment, colonization, the economy, and the city as a centre of philosophy and learning. The text challenges many past assumptions about the site and its archaeology, and develops the two key themes of the relationship between Miletos and its landscape, and its role as a bridging point for cultural interaction between the Aegean, Anatolia, the Near East and the Black Sea. With more than forty photographs, plans and drawings, this study is the essential guide to a major city of the ancient world. -- Publisher description "This book traces the growth and development of Miletos, one of the largest and most influential cities of ancient Greece, through its abundant archaeological remains and scarce historical references. The relationship between the city and the land, and the role that it played as a bridge between east and west, are examined through a series of case studies." "The socio-economic themes developed in the book include the search for metals, the city's extensive links throughout the Mediterranean, its population and the foundation of a series of colonies across the Black Sea. Miletos' chief cult centre, the oracle of Apollo at Didyma, and its relationship to the city are examined in detail and the role that Miletos played as a centre for philosophy and learning is briefly explored. Its early Minoan and Mycenaean origins are also investigated."--Jacket Drawing on case studies and presenting archaeological evidence throughout, Alan Greaves presents a welcome survey of the origins and development of Miletos. Focusing on the archaic era and exploring a wide range of issues including physical environment, colonizations, the economy, and its role as a centre of philosophy and learning, Greaves examines Miletos from prehistory to its medieval decline. BOOK COVER......Page 1 TITLE......Page 4 COPYRIGHT......Page 5 CONTENTS......Page 8 FIGURES......Page 9 Acknowledgements......Page 12 Introduction......Page 14 1 MILESIA......Page 16 2 PREHISTORIC AND PROTOHISTORIC MILETOS......Page 54 3 THE ARCHAIC PERIOD......Page 89 4 POST-ARCHAIC MILETOS......Page 146 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 166 INDEX......Page 186 An understanding of the physical environment is not just useful but essential when one is trying to understand any ancient city. Alan M. Greaves. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 151-169) And Index.