Mylasa was one of the oldest and most important cities in Caria, a strategic center from which the Hekatomnid Dynasty originated and which served for a period as the capital of the Carian satrapy. The city played a significant religious role with the Temple of Zeus Labraundos located nearby in Labraunda, and minted silver and bronze coins featuring a double-axe (labrys) and eagle motifs. Mylasa, situated beneath the modern district of Milas, illuminates ancient Carian culture with its rich archaeological remains.

History

Mylasa, one of the ancient and strategic cities of Caria in Southwest Anatolia, began its rise from the mid-1st millennium BCE. The city's history played a central role in the political and cultural development of Caria. Particularly in the 4th century BCE, it gained great political significance as the place of origin for the region's powerful Hekatomnid Dynasty. Famous Carian satraps such as Mausolus emerged from this dynasty, and Mylasa served for a time as the capital of the Carian satrapy. However, the capital was later moved to Halicarnassus (modern Bodrum), which was more advantageous for defense and maritime trade. Mylasa, which had a semi-autonomous structure under the dominion of the Persian Empire, frequently switched sides in the conflicts between the Persians and the Greek city-states. Liberated from Persian rule with the arrival of Alexander the Great in Anatolia, the city changed hands between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms during the Hellenistic period, struggling to maintain its autonomy throughout this process. Mylasa maintained its importance during the Roman Imperial period, and although it lost its political power, it continued its presence in the region as a religious and cultural center.

Geographic Location

Mylasa was situated in Southwest Anatolia, within the borders of the modern Muğla province, on a fertile plain. Its establishment at the foothills of Mount Latmos, dominating a strategic valley, enhanced both the city's agricultural wealth and its defensive potential. Although located somewhat inland from the sea, it possessed strong road connections with nearby Carian coastal cities and ports. This geographic location allowed Mylasa to control the trade routes between the interior regions of Caria and the Aegean Sea coast. The city maintained a close relationship with important religious centers in its vicinity, such as Labraunda, which enabled it to become both a political and cultural crossroads. Possessing a rich hinterland in terms of agricultural products thanks to its fertile lands, it significantly contributed to Mylasa's economic prosperity.

Significance in Antiquity

Mylasa was one of the most prominent cities in the Carian region in antiquity, both politically and religiously. Being one of Caria's first capitals was an indicator of the city's political power and administrative capacity. Especially as the center of the Hekatomnid Dynasty, it played a key role in relations with the Persian Empire and in the internal administration of Caria. The famous Temple of Zeus Labraundos, located nearby in Labraunda, made Mylasa a sacred and important religious center for all of Caria. This temple was dedicated to Zeus Labraundos, considered the national cult of Caria, forming the basis of the city's religious identity, and hosted visitors from neighboring cities with large annual festivals. Economically, Mylasa achieved significant prosperity thanks to its fertile agricultural lands, surrounding marble quarries, and its location on strategic trade routes. The city played an active role in the trade of agricultural products, livestock, and handicrafts in the region. Architectural and artistic developments during the Hekatomnid period transformed Mylasa into one of the important centers of Carian culture.

Coinage

Mylasa was an economically and politically powerful city in antiquity, possessing the authority to mint its own coinage. This authority was a clear indicator of the city's autonomy and regional importance. Mylasa is particularly known for its silver and bronze issues. The city's coins typically featured depictions of Zeus Labraundos, considered the chief deity of Caria. In these depictions, Zeus was portrayed holding a double-axe (labrys), a cultural symbol unique to Caria, and sometimes an eagle. This iconography clearly reflected the city's religious identity, its deep connection with Carian culture, and its belief in divine protection. The coins symbolized the city's economic power, political independence, and its status as a religious center. These minted coins were actively used in Mylasa's internal and external trade, becoming an important part of the economic life in the region. The minting of coins with varying types and weights across different periods indicates that the city maintained its coinage tradition even under various administrations and that its economic life was dynamic. These coins also showcase Mylasa's artistic and technological proficiency in antiquity.

Mylasa is an ancient mint represented in the NumisTR database by 51 coin varieties. The recorded coins were struck in silver, bronze and electrum. Authorities named on the coins include Antiochus Ii Theos, Hecatomnus Of Caria, Hyssaldomos Of Mylasa and Mausolus Of Caria. You can browse the city's coins in the Caria coins list.

Archaeological Remains

Today, numerous significant archaeological remains pertaining to ancient Mylasa's rich past are found beneath and around the modern district of Milas. These remains offer valuable insights into the city's ancient planning, architecture, and social life. One of the city's most striking structures is the Gümüşkesen Mausoleum, dating to the Roman period and remarkably well-preserved. This monumental tomb reveals Mylasa's architectural splendor during the Roman era and the value placed on the memory of important figures. The Baltalı Kapı (Menandros Gate), an important entrance belonging to the city's ancient fortification system, takes its name from the double-axe motifs on it and reflects the city's defensive architecture. Numerous rock-cut chamber tombs carved into the cliffs surrounding Mylasa constitute the city's necropolis areas and present fine examples of Carian funerary architecture. Furthermore, remains of the agora, traces of a theater, temple foundations, and various civic structures have also been identified in and around the city center. These remains help us understand Mylasa's importance and complex structure in the ancient world.

Today

The remains of ancient Mylasa are located today beneath and around the district of Milas, which is part of Turkey's Muğla province. Modern Milas continues to be a vibrant and developing city, blending the legacy of the ancient city with modern life. Ancient remains are visible scattered throughout the city center and its surroundings, and the city's historical fabric can still be felt amidst modern development. Visitors can easily reach Milas by road and journey into the past by following the traces of the ancient city. Structures such as the Gümüşkesen Mausoleum, Baltalı Kapı, and the rock-cut tombs are particularly important stops for those wishing to observe the city's ancient grandeur. The Milas Museum also sheds light on the city's history by exhibiting archaeological artifacts unearthed from the region.