Civilization: Greek - Archaic
Ruler:
Mint: Miletos
Year: 525 - 475 BC
Composition: Silver
Denomination: 1/12 Stater
Diameter: 10.0mm
Weight: 0.74g
Reference:

Obverse
Forepart of lion right, head left

Reverse
Stellate floral design; all within incuse square

Around 525 BC, Miletos was a thriving port city known for its economic prosperity, intellectual innovation, and colonial expansion, playing a crucial role in early Greek civilization. Situated on the western coast of Asia Minor, Miletos flourished as a trading hub, producing high-quality pottery and textiles while establishing colonies such as Byzantium and Syracuse. Governed by tyrants, notably Polycrates, the city expanded its influence through maritime prowess. Philosophers like Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes emerged from Miletos, proposing revolutionary ideas about the nature of the universe, such as Thales' belief in water as the fundamental substance. This intellectual environment fostered a shift towards naturalistic explanations, moving away from mythology. Miletos also navigated complex political relationships, first under Lydia's Croesus and later becoming part of the Persian Empire after its conquest in 546 BC. This period solidified Miletos’ position as a vital cultural and economic center, impacting the broader Mediterranean region.