I.the city of Miletus, in Caria, the birthplace of Thales, Mel. 1, 17, 1; Plin. 5, 29, 31, § 112; Cic. Att. 9, 9, 2.—Esp., as a proverb for luxury and wantonness: “paupertas Romana perit, hinc fluxit ad istos et Sybaris colles, hinc et Rhodos et Miletos,” Juv. 6, 296. —Hence,
A. Mīlēsĭus , a, um, adj., = Μιλήσιος, of or belonging to the city of Miletus, Milesian: “Milesia mulier,” Cic. Clu. 11, 32: “vellera,” Verg. G. 3, 306: “lana,” Plin. 29, 2, 9, § 33: “rosa,” id. 21, 4, 10, § 16: deus, i. e. Apollo, who had a temple and oracle at Miletus, App. M. 4, p. 157, 19: “Ceres,” Val. Max. 1, 1, 5: carmina, v. in the foll.—
B. Subst.
2. Mīlēsii , ōrum, m., the inhabitants of Miletus, Milesians, famous for their luxury and wantonness, Liv. 38, 39. 9; “hence, transf.: Milesia carmina,” wanton, lascivious songs, Ov. Tr. 2, 413: “sermo Milesius,” obscent stories, App. M. 1 init.; for which, as subst., Mīlēsĭae , ārum, f. plur. (sc. fabulae), Sev. Aug. ap. Capitol. Albin. 12.—
