In the 2nd century BCE, the ancient Greek author, Aristides of Miletus is said to have founded the Milesian School of Literature and developed a genre of writing style that is still used today. He was regarded as the father of "Greek Romance" and wrote six books of erotic Milesian tales, short stories, fables, or folktales of love and adventure with a titillating essence. It is unclear if Aristides was actually an inhabitant of Miletus or if he just based his stories there because of the luxurious, laid-back and easy-going lifestyle the ancient Milesians were reputed to have enjoyed during this time.

The more I research and learn about the once magnificent city of Miletus the more awestruck I become. The ancient ruins are amazing but to learn about the pioneering insights and contributions of the ancient philosophers, cartographers, mathematicians, cosmologists, and scientists who lived there, gives us an extraordinary understanding of the ancient world which makes each visit feel even more surreal.

In the 6th century BCE, the poet Thespis is reputed to have lept on the back of a cart to recite his poetry, he acted it out as if he were the character in the story, and thus the first known actor was born. According to Aristotle, he was the first to ever appear on stage, and it is from him that we get the word Thespian (actor). The first actor on a stage in any production is still referred to as a thespis, he was also credited with being ‘the inventor of Tragedy’.