Mileto Explained

Mileto
Official Name:Comune di Mileto
Coordinates:38.6167°N 20°W
Region:Calabria
Province:Vibo Valentia (VV)
Frazioni:Calabrò, Comparni, Paravati, San Giovanni
Area Total Km2:34.9
Population Total:7058
Population As Of:2007[1]
Population Demonym:Miletesi
Elevation M:365
Postal Code:89852
Area Code:0963

Mileto (Calabrian: Sicilian: Militu; Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Μίλητος|translit=Míletos) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Vibo Valentia in the Italian region Calabria, located about 60km (40miles) southwest of Catanzaro and about 6km (04miles) south of Vibo Valentia.

Mileto is the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Mileto.

History

According to tradition, the city was founded, not far from the site of ancient Medma by Greek fugitives from Miletus (Miletos in Greek; hence the name) in Anatolia, which had been destroyed by Darius.

Mileto was a Norman stronghold under Roger I of Sicily, the last great leader of the Norman conquest of southern Italy. He died here of old age in 1101. Roger's son and also a Count of Sicily, Simon died in the town in 1105, when he was 12 years old.

Simon's brother and successor Roger II was born here in 1095. He began his rule as Count of Sicily in 1105 and later became Duke of Apulia and Calabria in 1127. He became the first King of Sicily in 1130.

In 1807 it was the location of the Battle of Mileto between the French and Neapolitan armies. Mileto suffered from numerous earthquakes, especially from those of 1905 and 1906, and, although in a less degree, from that of 28 December 1908, which destroyed Reggio and Messina.

Notable people

References

Notes and References

  1. All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.