(anc. geog.), a town of Crete mentioned by Homer; but where situated does not appear. It is said to be the mother-town of Miletus in Caria, whither a colony was led by Sarpedon, Minos's brother, (Ephorus, quoted by Strabo). Milesi, the people, (Ovid).

Miletus (anc. geog.), a celebrated town of Asia Minor, on the confines of Ionia and Caria. It was the capital city of all Ionia, and famous both for the arts of war and peace. It was situated about 10 stadia south of the mouth of the river Maeander, near the sea-coast. It was founded by a Cretan colony under Miletus, the companion of Bacchus; or (according to others) by Neleus the son of Codrus; or by Sarpedon a son of Jupiter. It has successively been called Lelegis, Pithyusa, and Anactoria. The inhabitants, called Milesi, were very powerful, and long maintained an obstinate war against the kings of Lydia. They early applied themselves to navigation; and planted no less than 80 colonies, or (according to Seneca) 380, in different parts of the world. It was the only town that made head against Alexander, and with much difficulty taken. It gave birth to Thales, one of the seven wise men, and the first who applied himself to the study of nature. It was also the country of Anaximander, the scholar and successor of Thales, the inventor of sun-dials and the gnomon, and the first that published a geographical map; of Anaximance, scholar and successor to the foregoing; and of other great men. It was noted for its excellent wool, according to Virgil; and was also celebrated for a temple and oracle of Apollo Didymus. This famous people, from being powerful, becoming Milford, becoming afterwards opulent and abandoned to pleasures, lost both their riches and their power.—At present it is called by the Turks Melas, and not far distant from it runs the river Maeander. St Paul going from Corinth to Jerusalem passed by Miletus, and as he went by sea, and could not take Ephesus in his way, he caused the bishops and priests of the church of Ephesus to come to Miletus (Acts xx. 15, &c.), which was about 12 leagues from them.