According to Herodotus, the Ionians conquered Miletus, inhabited by Carians and Cretans, in the 11th century before Christ. The city immediately became a trade hub and major port, a prosperous Ionian centre of the arts, science and culture. Philosophers Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, historian and geographer Hecataios, city planner Hippodamus and architect Isidoros, one of the designers of Hagia Sophia, were all residents of Miletus.
The Hellenistic and Roman monuments are important examples in the history of architecture, including the Stoa, the Bouleuterion, the Theatre, the Gymnasion, the Roman baths and the Nymphahion.