A Tale of Two Port Cities: Ayasuluk (Ephesus) and Balat (Miletus) during the Beyliks Period

During the Beyliks period (14th to early 15th century), Ayasuluk (Ephesus) and Balat (Miletus), once prominent port cities of the ancient world, experienced a revival as dynamic trade hubs under Turkish rule. This study reveals their spatial transformations during this time, comparing urban forms, settlement patterns, cityscapes, and architecture through morphological analysis and historical documentation. While both cities thrived in the east-west trade network, differences emerged in governance (Aydınid for Ayasuluk, Menteşeid for Balat) and urban development. The research highlights their shared resilience and distinct identities as late medieval port cities.

Caner Yüksel, Ç. (2019). A Tale of Two Port Cities: Ayasuluk (Ephesus) and Balat (Miletus) during the Beyliks Period. Al-Masāq, 31(3), 338–365. https://doi.org/10.1080/09503110.2019.1620998