Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of aromatic polyesters, whereby dialkyl esters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids are melt-polymerized with aromatic bisphenol to furnish an amorphous poly(arylester) prepolymer. The amorphous poly(arylester) prepolymer is crystallized, separated, and dried to provide a crystallized poly(arylester) prepolymer, which is heated to yield the aromatic polyester.