Miletus was one of 12 Ionian cities and one of the greatest cities of ancient Asia Minor. It was large trade center with 4 harbors; founded colonies on Black Sea, in Egypt and Italy; noted as a literary center and known as -
the birthplace of the Hagia Sophia's architect (and inventor of the flying buttress) Isidore of Miletus and Thales, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher (and one of the Seven Sages of Greece).
The city reached its greatest wealth and splendor during the Hellenistic era (323–30 BC) and later Roman times.
The Stoa was built in front of the Hellenistic Gymnasium (of Eudemus?) and the Capito Thermae, on a north to south axis. It measured approximately 100X14 metres.
Its facade included an oblong Ionic colonnade with 35 columns that stood on a high crepis consisting of seven steps and supported an entablature with a richly decorated frieze.
The architectural order of the Stoa's faces gave a pronounced Ionic character to the Sacred Way and therefore to the centre of Roman Miletus.
The construction of the building dates from the period of the Flavian dynasty (69-96 AD), while some alterations were carried out in the years of Emperor Trajan (98-117 AD).
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The Byblos figurines or Phoenician statuettes are approximately 1,500–2,000 ex-voto statuettes found in ancient Phoenician temples in Lebanon, primarily in Byblos, but also in Kamid al lawz.
The majority of the statuettes were found at archaeological sites in sealed pottery jars, together with tools, weapons, jewelry, and other ritual objects.
The statuettes measure 3–38 cm tall, mostly represent males, and have tangs projecting from their feet that would have allowed them to be placed onto bases
The statuettes date to the second millenium BC and are made of bronze, silver, or copper alloy.