Lade (494 BCE)
Q427565Lade: former island northwest of Miletus, site of two naval engagements, one in 494 BCE (the subject of this page) and one in 334 BCE.
To the northwest of Miletus, in the classical age the largest Greek city in Asia Minor, was a small island called Lade. Today, the island no longer exists because the deposits of the river Meander have connected it to the mainland. What remains are three inconspicuous hills on a flat alluvial plain. However, in Antiquity, it was a real, well-known landmark that was of vital military importance. Command of Lade was important for anyone who wanted to capture Miletus.
On 20 October 494, the Persians defeated the rebellious Ionian Greeks off Lade. This meant that the Ionians no longer commanded the sea, and could no longer supply their cities. Miletus was captured not much later.
 Lade, from Miletus |
 Lade, across the Meander |