Background: The Ionians were a prominent Greek tribe in the 6th and 5th century BCE. During this time Ionic philosophy, rooted in rationality, dominated intellectual life. The label “Ionian” can refer to speakers of the Ionian dialect of Greek, or more commonly, ethnic Ionians. Those who once resided in the areas of eastern Greece and modern Turkey were often viewed as ethnic Ionians during the height of their prominence. The city of Miletus is commonly considered the epicenter of the Ionian intellectual revolution. The merchants of this de facto capital held greater power than that of the priesthood. The philosophical shift away from supernatural order instigated this shift of power. As a result, Ionic philosophers were not limited by ancient
