Miletus (mī̇-lē′tŭs), an ancient city of Ionia, in Asia Minor, near the Meander. It was famous for woolen cloth, carpets and furniture, and had a large trade. Nearly 80 colonies were founded by its citizens on the Black Sea and in the Crimea. Under the elder Cyrus the city was conquered by Persia, and again, after a rebellion, was taken by Darius and nearly destroyed. Although rebuilt and sufficiently powerful to contend with Alexander, who took it by storm, it never regained its importance, and was finally ruined by the Turks.