Listed 100 (total found 226) sub titles with search on: Information about the place for wider area of: "DODEKANISSOS Island complex GREECE" .
MEGISTI (KASTELORIZO) (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Belying former grandeur the island of Megisti, as it is officially
known even from ancient times, derives its name from the Greek word meaning “largest”
because it happens to be the largest island in a picturesque cluster surrounding
it. The total area of this “polynesia” (island complex) is 11.9 square
kms. It is a mountainous and rocky island.
Little is known concerning the island's ancient history due to the
few written accounts referring to it and the fewer still systematic excavations
carried out on Kastellorizo. Neolithic tools, pre-historic walls, stone hewn tombs,
a gold crown from the Mycenaean period, Doric inscriptions and other findings
pay witness to the fact that the island has been inhabited continuously from very
ancient times.
The safe, natural harbour on the northwestern coast has always been
the island’s greatest geophysical gift, as it is unique in the large harbourless
surrounding area. Naturally, it once generated an important amount of economic
and nautical trade, standing as it does at the crossroads of Europe, Asia Minor
and Egypt.
Today Kastelorizo has a population of 275 inhabitants. This is the
number that remained from the 15.000 that there were at the turn of the twentieth
century. The locals’ main activities are tourism and fishing.
The town has fine two and three storeyed buildings, built in accordance
with the local architecture. Above all, it provides the visitor with the beauty
of an idyllic landscape and the nostalgia of a past glory. The island’s
greekness is attested to by its buildings, by the simple “ageaopelagitiki”-Aegean
Sea look of the settlement, by the archaic character of the local dialect
and by the spirit of the inhabitants.
The sites to be seen on the island are indeed not few: Two fine examples
are the Palaiokastro -“Old Castle” which is situated approximately
in the middle of the island and once served as both the acropolis and older fortification
of the island, whilst the “Kastro”-Castle is found in the south eastern
part of the harbour and 200 metres above sea level. In the eastern part of the
harbour there is an impressive stone-hewed lyncean tomb. Both, of course, are
a part of the invaluable inheritance of the much turmoiled historical past of
the island.
Kastelorizo is dotted with numerous churches and monasteries. The
patron Saints of the island are St. Constantine and Helen to whom a church of
exceptional architecture is dedicated. It is a three-nave basilica and dates from
1835. Beside the church is the “Santrapia Urban School” which was
inaugurated in 1903 and built through the patronage of Louka Santrape. Especially
picturesque is the monastery
of St. George of the Mountain which has monks’ cells, cisterns and a
cave-catacomb with a well and a finely worked wooden iconostasis.
Extremely colourful are the Easter adoration and festive customs as
are the important feasts, rich in traditional customs. These are the feasts of
“Dekapentavgoustou” - Dormition of Our Lady, St. Paraskevi, the last
Monday before Lent, the First of May, Prophet Elias and of the patron saints of
the island Sts. Constantine and Helen.
(Text: Manolis Makris)
This text (extract) is cited February 2004 from the Dodekanissos
Union of Municipalities & Communities pamphlet.
DODEKANISSOS (Island complex) GREECE
DODEKANISSOS (Island complex) GREECE
LIPSI (Island complex) DODEKANISSOS
DODEKANISSOS (Island complex) GREECE
KOS (Island) DODEKANISSOS
LIPSI (Island complex) DODEKANISSOS
LIPSI (Island) DODEKANISSOS
ALASSARNA (Ancient city) KOS
Halisarna (Halisarna or Halasarne), a town on the south coast on the
island of Cos, near Cape Laceterium. (Strab. xiv. p. 657; comp. Ross, Reisen auf
den Griech. Inseln, vol. iii. p. 136, and iv. p. 22.)
ASTYPALEA (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Astupalaia, Eth. Astupalaieus, Astupalaiates, Astypalaeensis. Called
by the present inhabitants Astropalaea, and by the Franks Stampalia), an island
in the Carpathian sea, called by Strabo (x. p. 392) one of the Sporades, and by
Stephanus B. (s. v.) one of the Cyclades, said to be 125 (Roman) miles from Cadistus
in Crete (Plin. iv. 12. s. 23), and 800 stadia from Chalcia, an island near Rhodes.
(Strab. l. c.) Pliny describes Astypalaea (l. c.) as 88 miles in circumference.
The island consists of two large rocky masses, united in the centre by an isthmus,
which in its narrowest part is only 450 or 500 feet across. On the N. and S. the
sea enters two deep bays between the two halves of the island; and the town, which
bore the same name as the island, stood on the western side of the southern bay.
To the S. and E. of this bay lie several desert islands, to which Ovid (Ar. Am.
ii. 82) alludes in the line:--cinctaque piscosis Astypalaea vadis. From the castle
of the town there is an extensive prospect. Towards the E. may be seen Cos, Nisyros,
and Telos, and towards the S. in clear weather Casos, Carpathus, and Crete.
Of the history of Astypalaea we have hardly any account. Stephanus
says that it was originally called Pyrrha, when the Carians possessed it, then
Pylaea, next the Table of the Gods (Theon trapeza), on account of its verdure,
and lastly Astypalaea, from the mother of Ancaeus. (Comp. Paus. vii. 4. § 1.)
We learn from Scymnus (551) that Astypalaea was a colony of the Megarians, and
Ovid mentions it as one of the islands subdued by Minos. ( Astypaleia regna, Met.
vii. 461.) In B.C. 105 the Romans concluded an alliance with Astypalaea (Bockh,
Inscr. vol. ii. n. 2485), a distinction probably granted to the island in consequence
of its excellent harbours and of its central position among the European and Asiatic
islands of the Aegaean. Under the Roman emperors Astypalaea was a libera civitas.
(Plin. l. c.) The modern town contains 250 houses and not quite 1500 inhabitants.
It belongs to Turkey, and is subject to the Pashah of Rhodes, who allows the inhabitants,
however, to govern themselves, only exacting from them the small yearly tribute
of 9500 piastres, or about 601. sterling. This small town contains an extraordinary
number of churches and chapels, sometimes as many as six in a row. They are built
to a great extent from the ruins of the ancient temples, and they contain numerous
inscriptions. In every part of the town there are seen capitals of columns and
other ancient remains. We learn from inscriptions that the ancient city contained
many temples and other ancient buildings. The favourite hero of the island was
Cleomedes, of whose romantic history an account is given elsewhere. Cicero probably
confounds Achilles with this Cleomedes, when he says (de Nat. Deor. iii. 18) that
the Astypalaeenses worship Achilles with the greatest veneration.
Hegesander related that a couple of hares having been brought into
Astypalaea from Anaphe, the island became so overrun with them that the inhabitants
were obliged to consult the Delphic oracle, which advised their hunting them with
dogs, and that in this way more than 6000 were caught in one year. (Athen. ix.
p. 400, d.) This tale is a counterpart to the one about the brace of partridges
introduced from Astypalaea into Anaphe. Pliny (viii. 59) says that the muscles
of Astypalaea were very celebrated; and we learn from Ross that they are still
taken off the coast.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited May 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
CHALKI (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Chalcia or Chalce (Chalkeia, Chalkia, Chalke: Eth. Chalkites and Chalkaios,
Steph. s. v. Chalke: Chalki), a small island, distant 80 stadia from Telus and
400 from Carpathus, and about 800 from Astypalaea: it had a small town of the
same name, a temple of Apollo and a harbour (Strab. p. 488; Plin. v. 31). Thucydides
who mentions the island several times (viii. 41, 44, 55) calls it Chalce. Leon
and Diomedon, the Athenian commanders (B.C. 412) after their attack on Rhodes,
where the Peloponnesian ships were hauled up, retired to Chalce as a more convenient
place than Cos to watch the movements of the enemy's fleet from. Leake (Asia
Minor, p. 224) mentions an inscription found in Rhodes, which contains the
Ethnic name Chalcetes. The island was near the west coast of Rhodes, and probably
subject to Rhodes.
KALYMNOS (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Calymna (Kalumna, Kalumna: Eth. Kalumnios: Kalimno), an island off
the coast of Caria between Leros and Cos. It appears to have been the principal
island of the group which Homer calls Calydnae (nesoi Kaludnai, Il. ii. 677):
the other islands were probably Leros, Telendos, Hypseremos (Hypsereisma) and
Plate. (Comp. Strab. x. p. 489.) Calymna is the correct orthography, since we
find it thus written on coins and inscriptions. (Bockh, Inscr. No. 2671.) This
form also occurs in Scylax, Strabo, Ovid, Suidas, and the Etymologicum Magnum;
but out of respect for Homer, whose authority was deemed paramount, most of the
ancient writers call the island Calydna, and some were even led into the, error
of making two different islands, Calydna and Calymna. (Plin. iv. 12. s. 23; Steph.
B, s. vv.)
The island was originally inhabited by Carians, and was afterwards
colonised by Thessalian Aeolians or Dorians under Heraclid leaders. It also received
an additional colony of Argives, who are said to have been shipwrecked on the
island after the Trojan war. (Diod. v. 54; Hom. Il. ii. 675.) At the time of the
Persian war it was subject to Artemisia of Halicarnassus, together with the neighbouring
islands of Cos. and Nisyrus. (Herod. vii. 99.)
Calymna is an island of some size, and contains at present 7000 inhabitants.
A full account of it, together with a map, is given by Ross in the work cited
below. The description of Ovid (de Art. Am. ii. 81) - silvis umbrosa Calymne -
does not apply to the present condition of the island, and was probably equally
inapplicable in antiquity; since the island is mountainous and bare. It produces
figs, wine, barley, oil, and excellent honey; for the latter it was also celebrated
in antiquity. (Fecundaque melle Calymne, Ov. Met. viii. 222; Strab. l. c.)
With respect to the ancient towns, Pliny in one passage (iv. 12. s.
23) mentions only one town, Coos; but in another (v. 31. s. 36) he mentions three,
Notium, Nisyrus, Mendeterus. The principal ancient remains are found in the valley
above the harbour Linaria on the western side of the island; but Ross found no
inscriptions recording the name of the town. The chief ruins are those of a great
church tou Christou tes Hierousalem, built upon the site of an ancient temple
of Apollo, of which, there are still remains. Stephanus (s. v. Kaludna) speaks
of Apollo Calydneus. South of the town there is a plain still called Argos, as
in the island of Casus. (Ross, Reisen auf den Griechischen, Inseln, vol. ii. p.
92, seq., vol. iii. p. 139.)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited August 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
KARPATHOS (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Carpathus (Karpathos; Carpathum, Plin.; in Hom. Il. ii. 676, Krapathos:
Eth. Karpathios: Skarpanto), an island in the sea between Crete and Rhodes, which
was named after it the Carpathian sea. (Karpathion pelagos, Strab. x. p. 488 Carpathium
mare, Hor. Carm. i. 35. 8.) Carpathus is described by the ancient authorities
as 100 stadia in length (Scylax, p. 56), and 200 stadia in circuit (Strab. p.
489); but according to Bondelmonte, the old Italian traveller, it is 70 Italian
miles in circumference. The island consists for the most part of lofty and bare
mountains, full of ravines and hollows; and the coast is generally steep and inaccessible.
The principal mountain, which is in the centre of the island, and is called Lastos,
appears to be 4000 feet in height.
Carpathus is said to have been subject to Minos and to have been afterwards
colonized by Argive Dorians. (Diod. v. 54.) It always remained a Doric country.
At the time of the Trojan war it is mentioned along with Nisyrus, Casus and Cos
(Hom. Il. ii. 676); but at a later period it was under the rule of the Rhodians.
It would seem never to have possessed complete independence, as no autonomous
coins of Carpathus have been discovered; while Rhodian coins are commonly found
in the island.
Carpathus appears to have been well peopled in antiquity. According
to Scylax, it contained three towns; according to Strabo, four. The only name
which Strabo gives is Nisyrus (Nisuros). Ptolemy (v. 2. § 33) mentions another
town, called Poseidium (Poseidion). The name of a third, Arcesine (Arkesine),
is only preserved in an inscription containing the tribute of the Athenian allies.
The site of Arcesine has been determined by Ross. It is now called Arkassa, and
is situated upon a promontory in the middle of the west coast of the southern
part of the island. Poseidium was situated upon a corresponding cape upon the
eastern side of the island, and is now called Pigadin or Posin.
There are ruins of an ancient town upon a rock, Sokastron, off the
western coast, and of another town upon the island Saria, which is ten miles in
circuit, and is separated by a narrow strait from the northern extremity of Carpathus.
The ruins in Saria, which are called Palatia, may possibly be those of Nisyrus.
(Comp. the names Saria, Nismria.
Ptolemy mentions two promontories, one called Thoanteium (Thoanteion),
probably the southern extremity of the island, the modern Akroteri, and the other
Ephialtium (Ephialtion), which Ross conjectures to be a promontory S. of Poseidium,
of which the modern name Aphiartis is perhaps a corruption. The accompanying map
of Carpathus is taken from Ross, who is the only modern traveller that has given
an account of the island. (Comp. Herod. iii. 45; Dionys. Per. 500; Plin. iv. 12.
s. 23, v. 31. s. 36; Pomp. Mel. ii. 7; Steph. B. s. v.; Ross, Reisen auf den Griech.
Inseln, vol. iii. p. 50.)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited August 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
KASSOS (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Casus (Kasos: Eth. Kasios), an island between Carpathus and Crete,
is, according to Strabo, 70 stadia from Carpathus, 250 from Cape Sammonium in
Crete, and is itself 80 stadia in circumference. (Strab. x. p. 489.) Pliny (iv.
12. s. 23) makes it 7 M. P. from Carpathus, and 30 M. P. from Sammonium. It is
mentioned by Homer (Il. ii. 676). It is said to have been formerly called Amphe
(Achne) and Astrabe; and it was supposed in antiquity that the name of Mt. Casium
in Syria was derived from this island. (Steph. B. s. vv. Kasos, Kasion Plin. v.
31. s. 36.)
Casus has been visited by Ross, who describes it as consisting of
a single ridge of mountains of considerable height. On the N. and W. sides there
are several rocks and small islands, which Strabo calls at Kasion nesoi. Ross
found the remains of the ancient town, which was also called Casus, in the interior
of the island, at the village of Polin (a diminutive instead of Polion or Polidion).
The ancient port-town was at Emporeion, where Ross also discovered some ancient
remains: among others, ruins of sepulchral chambers, partly built in the earth.
He found no autonomous coins, since the island was probably always dependent either
upon Cos or Rhodes. In the southern part of the island there is a small and fertile
plain surrounded by mountains, called Argos, a name which it has retained from
the most ancient times. We find also an Argos in Calymna and Nisyrus. Before the
Greek revolution, Casus contained a population of 7500 souls; and though during
the war with the Turks it was at one time almost deserted, its population now
amounts to 5000. Its inhabitants possessed, in 1843, as many as 75 large merchant
vessels, and a great part of the commerce of the Christian subjects in Turkey
was in their hands. (Ross, Reisen in den Griech. Inseln, vol. iii. p. 32, seq.)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited August 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
KINAROS (Island) LEROS
Cinara or Cinarus (Kinaros: Zinari), a small island in the Aegaean
sea, NE. of Amorgos, named after the artichoke (kinara) which it produced. (Plin.
iv. 12. s. 22; Mel. ii. 7; Athen. ii. p. 70; Colum. x. 235.)
KOS (Ancient city) DODEKANISSOS
Cos (Kos, Koos; Cos, P. Mela; Cous, Liv., Tac.; Cea, Plin.: Eth. Koos
(Kotes in modern Greek): Stanko, or Stanchio, a corruption of es tan Ko), an island
in the Myrtoan sea, one of the most renowned of that beautiful chain, which covers
the western shore of Asia Minor. One of its earlier names was Meropis (Thuc. viii.
41), another was Nymphaea (Plin. v. 31. s. 36). It appears from an inscription
mentioned by Ross, that it was called Lango in the time of the Knights. Its situation
is nearly opposite the gulf of Halicarnassus, and it is separated by a narrow
strait from Cnidus and the Triopian promontory. Its length lies NE. and SW. Strabo
gives the names of three promontories, Scandarium on the NE., Lacter on the S.
(with the town of Halisarna near it), and Drecanon on the W. (near the town of
Stomalimne). Its principal city, bearing the name of the island, was near the
first of these promontories, in lat. 36° 53' and long. 27° 17'. The circumference
of the island, according to Strabo (xiv. p. 657), was 550 stadia, and according
to Pliny 100 Roman miles; but neither of these dimensions is correct: the true
circumference is about 65 geographical miles, and the length about 23. The relation
of Cos to the neighbouring coast and islands is vividly illustrated by such voyages
as those which are described in Liv. xxxvii. 16; Lucan viii.244-250; Act. Apost.
xx. xxi.
Tradition connects the earliest Greek inhabitants of Cos with a migration
from Epidaurus; and the common worship of Aesculapius seems to have maintained
a link between the two down to a late period. (Paus, iii. 23. § 4; Muller, Dor.
bk. i. ch. 6.) In Homer we find the people of the island fighting against the
Carians. (Il. ii. 677, 867.) As we approach the period of distinct history, the
city of Cos appears as a member of the Dorian Pentapolis, whose sanctuary was
on the Triopian promontory. (Herod. i. 144.) Under the Athenian rule it had no
walls, and it was first fortified by Alcibiades at the close of the Peloponnesian
War. (Thuc. viii. 108) In subsequent times it shared the general fate of the neighbouring
coasts and islands. For its relations with Rhodes in the wars against Antiochus
and the Romans, see Polyb. xxx. 7; and Livy, l. c. The emperor Claudius bestowed
upon it the privileges of a free state (Tac. Ann. xii. 61), and Antoninus Pius
rebuilt the city, after it had been destoyed by an earthquake. (Paus. viii. 43).
The ancient constitution of the island seems to have been monarchical, and traces
of its continuance are observed in an inscription as late as Vespasian. It was
illustrious as the birthplace of Ptolemy Philadelphus (Theoc. xvii. 57), and of
the painter Apelles, and the physician Hippocrates. An interesting inscription
(Beckh, No. 2502) associates it with Herod the tetrarch, whose father had conferred
many favours on Cos, as we learn from Josephus (B. J. i. 21. § 11).
The present mixed population of Greeks and Turks amounts to about
8000. The island still gives proof of the natural productiveness which was celebrated
by Strabo. It was known in the old world for its ointment and purple dye, but
especially for its wines (Hor. Sat. ii. 4, 29; Pers. Sat. v. 135), and the light
transparent dresses called Coae vestes. (Tibull. ii. 3. 53; Propert. i. 2.) The
island is generally mountainous, especially on the south and west: but there is
a large tract of level and fruitful ground towards the north and east.
The most ancient capital was called Astypalaea, the position of which
is extremely doubtful. The city of Cos itself has continued to our own times.
An unhealthy lagoon, on the north of the modern town, marks the position of the
ancient harbour. Close to it is the Turkish castle, which Christian travellers
are not allowed to enter. In its walls are some elaborate sculptures, which may
perhaps have belonged to the Aslepieium or temple of Aesculapius. This sanctuary
was anciently the object of greatest interest in the island. A school of physicians
was attached to it, and its great collection of votive models made it almost a
museum of anatomy and pathology. Strabo describes the temple as standing in a
suburb of the town: but the site has not been yet positively identified.
An account of Cos will be found in Clarke's Travels, vol. ii. pt.
i. pp. 196-213, and vol. ii. pt. ii. pp. 321-333. But the best description is
in Ross, Reisen nach Kos, Halicarsnassos, u. s. w. (Halle, 1852), with which his
Reisen auf den Griech. Inseln should be compared, vol. ii. pp. 86-92, vol. iii.
pp. 126-139. There is a monograph on the island by Kuster (De Co Insula, Halle,
1833), and a very useful paper on the subject by Col. Leake (in the Trans. of
the Royal Soc. of Literature, vol. i., second series). Both Leake and Ross give
a map of Cos, reduced from the recent survey.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited August 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
LEROS (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Leros (Leros: Eth. Lerios: Leros), a small island of the Aegean, and
belonging to the scattered islands called Sporades. It is situated opposite the
Sinus Iassius, on the north of Calymna, and on the south of Lepsia, at a distance
of 320 stadia from Cos and 350 from Myndus. (Stadiasm. Mar. Magni, § § 246, 250,
252.) According to a statement of Anaximenes of Lampsacus, Leros was,like Icaros,
colonised by Milesians. (Strab. xiv. p. 635.) This was probably done in consequence
of a suggestion of Hecataeus; for on the breaking out of the revolt of the Ionians
against Persia, he advised his countrymen to erect a fortress in the island, and
make it the centre of their operations, if they should be driven from Miletus.
(Herod. v. 125; comp. Thucyd. viii. 27.) Before its occupation by the Milesians,
it was probably inhabited by Dorians. The inhabitants of Leros were notorious
in antiquity for their ill nature, whence Phocylides sang of them: -
Lerioi kakoi, ouch ho men, hus d'ou,
Pantes, plen Prokleous: kai Proklees Lerios.
(Strab. x. p. 487, &c.) The town of Leros was situated on the west of the modern
town, on the south side of the bay, and on the slope of a hill; in this locality,
at least, distinct traces of a town have been discovered by Ross. (Reisen auf
d. Griech. Inseln, ii. p. 119.) The plan of Hecataeus to fortify Leros does not
seem to have been carried into effect. Leros never was an independent community,
but was governed by Miletus, as we must infer from inscriptions, which also show
that Milesians continued to inhabit the island as late as the time of the Romans.
Leros contained a sanctuary of Artemis Parthenos, in which, according to mythology,
the sisters of Meleager were transformed into guinea fowls (meleagrides; Anton.
Lib. 2; comp. Ov. Met. viii. 533, &c.), whence these birds were always kept in
the sanctuary of the goddess. (Athen. xiv. p. 655.) In a valley, about ten minutes'
walk from the sea, a small convent still bears the name of Partheni, and at a
little distance from it there are the ruins of an ancient Christian church, evidently
built upon some ancient foundation, which seems to have been that of the temple
of Artemis Parthenos. This small island, says Ross, though envied on account of
its fertility, its smiling valleys, and its excellent harbours, is nevertheless
scorned by its neighbours, who charge its inhabitants with niggardliness (l. c.
p. 122; comp. Bockh, Corp. Inscript. n. 2263; Ross, Inscript. ined. ii 188.)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited August 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
LINDOS (Ancient city) LINDOS
Eth. Lindios: Lindos, one of the most important and most ancient towns
in the island of Rhodes, was situated on the eastern coast, a little to the north
of a promontory bearing the same name. The district was in ancient times very
productive in wine and figs, though otherwise it was, and is still, very barren.
(Philostr. Icon. ii. 24.) In the Homeric Catalogue (Il. ii. 656) Lindus, together
with the two other Rhodian cities, Ialysus and Camirus, are said to have taken
part in the war against Troy. Their inhabitants were Dorians, and formed the three
Dorian tribes of the island, Lindus itself being of one the Dorian hexapolis in
the south-west of Asia Minor. Previous to the year B.C. 408, when Rhodes was built,
Lindus, like the other cities, formed a little state by itself, but when Rhodes
was founded, a great part of the population and the common government was transferred
to the new city. (Diod. xii. 75.) Lindus, however, though it lost its political
importance, still remained an interesting place in a religious point of view,
for it contained two ancient and much revered sanctuaries,--one of Athena, hence
called the Lindian, and the other of Heracles. The former was believed to have
been built by Danaus (Diod. v. 58; Callim. Fragm. p. 477, ed. Ernesti), or, according
to others by his daughters on their flight from Egypt. (Herod. ii. 182; Strab.
xiv.; comp. Plin. H. N. xxxiii. 23; Act. Apost. xvii. 17.) The temple of Heracles
was remarkable, according to Lactantius (i. 31), on account of the vituperative
and injurious language with which the worship was conducted. This temple contained
a painting of Heracles by Parrhasius; and Lindus appears to have possessed several
other paintings by the same artist. (Athen. xii., xv.) Lindus also was the native
place of Cleobulus, one of the Seven Sages of Greece; and Athenaeus (viii.) has
preserved a pretty poem ascribed to Cleobulus, and which the Lindian boys used
to sing as they went round collecting money for the return of the swallows in
spring.
The site of Lindus, as described by Strabo, on the side of a hill,
looking towards the south and Alexandria, cannot be mistaken; and the modern neat
little town of Lindos is exactly the spot occupied by the ancient Dorian city.
The place and its many ancient remains have often been visited and described,
and most recently by Ross in his Reisen auf den Griech. Inseln, vols. iii. and
iv., from which it appears that ancient remains are more and more destroyed. There
are many tombs cut in the rocks, some of which have had beautiful architectural
ornaments; the remains of a theatre at the foot of the hill; and on the acropolis
are seen the ruins of two Greek temples, which, to judge from inscriptions, belonged
to the Lindian Athena and Zeus Polieus. The number of inscriptions found at Lindus
is very considerable.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
MEGISTI (KASTELORIZO) (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Megiste (Megiste), an island off the coast of Lycia, opposite to Antiphellus.
It contained a town which, if the reading in Strabo (xiv. p. 666) be correct,
was called Cisthene (Kisthene), but had perished before the time of Pliny (v.
35). There was also an excellent harbour, which appears to have been capable of
containing a whole fleet. (Liv. xxxvii. 22; comp. Steph. B. s. v., who calls the
town Megiste; Ptol. v. 3. § 9; Scylax, p. 39.) The island, which derived its name
from the fact that it is the largest of a group, is now called Kasteloryzo, or
Castel Rosso. The island seems to have been colonised by the Rhodians, or at least
to have been in their possession, for inscriptions found there are composed in
the Doric dialect. There are but few remains of ancient buildings. (Leake, Asia
Minor, p. 184; Fellows, Lycia, pp. 187, &c.)
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PATMOS (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Patmos (Patmos: Patmo), one of the Sporades Insulae, in the south-east
of the Aegean, to the west of Lepsia and south of Samos, is said to have been
30 Roman miles in circumference. (Pliny, iv. 23; Strab. x. p. 488; Thucyd. iii.
23; Eustath. ad Dion. Per. 530.) On the north-eastern side of the island there
was a town with a harbour of the same name as the island, and the southernmost
point formed the promontory Amazonium (Stadiasm. Mar. Mag. p. 488, ed. Hoffmann).
This little island is celebrated as the place to which St. John was banished towards
the close of the reign of Domitian, and where he is said to have composed the
Apocalypse (Revel. i. 9). A cave is still shown in Patmos where the apostle is
believed to have received his revelations. (Comp. Iren. ii. 22; Euseb. Hist. Eccl.
iii. 18; Dion Cass. lviii. 1.) The island contains several churches and convents,
and a few remains of the ancient town and its castle. (Walpole, Turkey, tom. ii.
p. 43; Ross, Reisen auf den Griech. Inseln, vol. ii. p. 123, foll.)
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RHODES (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Rhodus (Rhodos: Eth. Rhodios: Rhodes), one of the chief islands of
the Aegean, or more properly of that part of the Aegean which is called the Carpathian
sea, about 9 or 10 miles from the coast of Caria. In the earliest times it is
said to have borne the names of Ophiussa (Steph. B. s. v. Rhodos), Stadia, Telchinis
(Strab. xvi. p. 653), Asteria, Aethraea, Trinacria, Corymbia, Poieessa, Atabyria,
Macaria, and Oloessa. (Plin. v. 36.) It extends from south to north, and is 920
stadia in circumference (Strab. xiv. p. 605), or, according to Pliny, 125 Roman
miles, though others reduced it to 103. The island is traversed from north to
south by a chain of mountains, the highest point of which was called Atabyris
or Atabyrion, and the towns were all situated on the coast. Mount Atabyris is
4560 feet above the level of the sea, and on the top of it stood a temple of Zeus
Atabyrius. Rhodes was believed to have at one time risen out of the sea, and the
Telchines, its most ancient inhabitants, are said to have immigrated from Crete.
(Pind. Olymp. vii. 23, &c.; Plin. ii. 87; Aristid. Orat. xliii. p. 653, ed. Dind.;
Strab. l. c.; Diod. v. 55.) The Telchines, about. whom many fabulous stories are
related, are said to have been nine in number, and their sister Halia or Amphitrite
became by Poseidon the mother of six sons and one daughter, Rhodos, from which
in the end the island received the name it still bears. Others, however, with
better reason, derive the name Rhodus from podon, a rose, for the rose appears
as a symbol on coins of the island, so that Rhodus would be the island of Roses.
(Eckhel, vol. ii. p. 602; Sestini, Num. Vet. p. 382.) These most ancient and fabulous
Telchines are said to have perished or been driven from the island during an inundation,
and Helios then created a new race of inhabitants, who were called after him Heliadae;
they were seven in number, and became ancestors of seven tribes, which partly
peopled Rhodus itself and partly emigrated to Lesbos, Cos, Caria, and Egypt. The
Heliadae are said to have greatly distinguished themselves by the progress they
made in the sciences of astronomy and navigation. (Pind. l. c. 160, &c.; Diod.
v. 56; Conon, Narrat. 47; Strab. xiv. p. 654.) After this various immigrations
from foreign countries are mentioned: Egyptians under Danaus, Phoenicians under
Cadmus, Thessalians and Carians, are each said to have furnished their contingent
to the population of Rhodes. Whatever we may think of these alleged immigrations,
they can have but little affected the national character of the Rhodians, which
in fact did not become fixed until a branch of the Doric race took possession
of the island, after which event the Doric character of its inhabitants became
thoroughly established. Some Dorians or Heracleidae appear to have been settled
there as early as the Trojan War, for the Heracleid Tlepolemus is described as
having sailed to Troy with nine ships. (Il. ii. 653; Diod. iv. 58, v. 59; Apollod.
ii. 8. § 2.) After the Trojan War Aethaemenes, a Heracleid from Argos, led other
settlers to Rhodus. (Strab. xiv. p 653; Diod. xv. 59; Apollod. iii. 2. § 1; comp.
Thuc. vii. 57 ; Aristid. Orat. xliv. p. 839.) After this time the Rhodians quietly
developed the resources of their island, and rose to great prosperity and affluence.
The three most ancient towns of the island were Lindus, Ialysus, and
Camirus, which were believed to have been founded by three grandsons of the Heliad
Ochimus bearing the same names, or, according to others, by the Heracleid Tlepolemus.
(Diod. iv. 58, v. 57.) These three towns, together with Cos, Cnidus, and Halicarnassus,
formed what was called the Doric hexapolis, which had its common sanctuary on
the Triopian headland on the coast of Caria, Apollo being the tutelary deity of
the confederation. (Herod. i. 144.) The rapid progress made by the Rhodian towns
at a comparatively early period is sufficiently attested by their colonies in
the distant countries of the west. Thus they founded settlements in the Balearic
islands, Rhode on the coast of Spain, Parthenope, Salapia, Siris, and Sybaris
in Italy, and Gela in Sicily; while the countries nearer home were not neglected,
for Soli in Cilicia, and Gagae and Corydalla in Lycia, were likewise Rhodian colonies.
But notwithstanding this early application to navigation and commerce, for which
Rhodes is so admirably situated between the three ancient continents, the Rhodians
were not ranked with the great maritime powers of Greece. Herodotus speaks of
them only as forming a part of the Doric confederacy, nor does Thucydides mention
their island more frequently. The Rhodians, in fact, did not attain to any political
eminence among the states of Greece until about B.C. 408, when the three ancient
towns conjointly built the city of Rhodes at the northern extremity of the island,
and raised it to the rank of a capital. During the first period of the Peloponnesian
War the towns of Rhodes paid tribute to Athens, and were reluctantly compelled
to serve against Syracuse and Gela in Sicily (Thuc. vii. 57); but in B.C. 412
they joined the Peloponnesians. The popular party being favourable to Athens,
soon afterwards attempted a reaction, but it was crushed (Diod. xiii. 38, 45).
In B.C. 396, however, when Conon appeared with his fleet in the waters of Rhodes,
the Rhodians again embraced the cause of Athens (Diod. xiv. 79; Paus. vi. 7. §
6); but the democracy which was now established was ill managed, and did not last
long; and as early as B.C. 390, the exiled aristocrats, with the assistance of
Sparta, recovered their former ascendancy. (Aristot. Polit. v. 4. 2; Xenoph. Hellen.
iv. 8. § 20, &c.; Diod. xiv. 97.) The fear of Sparta's growing power once more
threw Rhodes into the hands of the Athenians, but soon after the battle of Leuctra
a change again took place; at least the Thebans, in B.C. 364, were zealously engaged
in sowing discord for the purpose of drawing Rhodes, Chios, and Byzantium over
to their own side. During the Social War, from B.C. 357 to 355, the Rhodians were
arrayed against Athens, being instigated by the dynast of Caria and his successor
Artemisia. But as they became alarmed by the growing power of the Carian dynasty,
they solicited the protection of Athens through the eloquence of Demosthenes.
(Demos. de Libert. Rhodior.) The form of government throughout this period was
oligarchical, which accounts for the insolent conduct of Hegesilochus, as described
in Athenaeus (x. p. 444). Rhodes furnished Darius, the last king of Persia, with
one of his bravest and ablest generals in the person of Memnon, who, if he had
had the sole direction of affairs, might have checked the victorious career of
Alexander, and saved the Persian empire. But as it was, Rhodes, like the rest
of Greece, lost its independence, and received a Macedonian garrison (Curt. iv.
5). The expulsion of this garrison after the death of Alexander was the beginning
of a glorious epoch in the history of Rhodes; for during the wars against the
successors of Alexander, and especially during the memorable siege of the city
of Rhodes by Demetrius Poliorcetes, the Rhodians gained the highest esteem and
regard from all the surrounding princes and nations. During the period which then
followed, down to the overthrow of the Macedonian monarchy, Rhodus, which kept
up friendly relations with Rome, acted a very prominent part, and extended its
dominion over a portion of the opposite coasts of Carlia and Lycia - a territory
which is hence often called the Peraia ton Hpodion - and over several of the neighbouring
islands, such as Casus, Carpathus, Telos, and Chalce. After the defeat of Perseus
the Romans deprived the Rhodians of a great amount of territory and power, under
the pretext that they had supported Macedonia; but the anger of Rome was propitiated,
and in the war against Mithridates the Rhodians defended themselves manfully against
the Pontian king. During the civil war between Caesar and Pompey they sided with
the former, and their adherence to him led them, after his death, to resist Cassius;
but the republican, after defeating them in a naval engagement, entered the city
of Rhodes by force, and having put to death the leaders of the hostile party,
carried off all the public property, even the offerings and ornaments of the temples
(Appian, Bell. Civ. iv. 72; Plut. Brut. 30; Dion Cass. xlvii. 32). This calamity
in B.C. 42 broke the power of the Rhodians, but it still remained one of the great
seats of learning. Tiberius, before his accession to the imperial throne, resided
at Rhodes for several years. The emperor Claudius deprived it of all political
independence (Dion Cass. lx. 24); but although he afterwards restored its liberty,
it was at all times a very precarious possession, being taken away and given back
as circumstances or the caprices of the emperors suggested (Tac. Ann. xii. 58;
comp. Suet. Vesp. 8; Eutrop. vii. 13). In the arrangements of Constantine, Rhodus,
like other islands, belonged to the Provincia Insularum, of which it was the metropolis
(Hierocles, p. 685, &c.). During the middle ages it continued to enjoy a considerable
degree of prosperity, and was the last place in Western Asia that yielded to the
Mohammedans.
The great prosperity which the Rhodians enjoyed during the best period
of their history was owing in the first place to their extensive navigation and
commerce, and in the second to their political institutions. In respect to the
former they were particularly favoured by the situation of their island, and during
the Macedonian and Roman periods no Greek state could rival them in the extent
and organisation of their commerce; their sailors were regarded as the best, and
their laws relating to navigation were thought models worthy of being adopted
by the Romans. The form of government of the Rhodians was indeed founded upon
a popular basis, but their democracy was tempered by an admixture of oligarchy.
Such at least we find it during the Macedonian period, at a time when the ancient
Doric institutions had given way to a form of government more suited to the actual
circumstances. (Strab. xii. p. 575, xiv. p. 652; Cic. de Re Publ. i. 3. 1; Dion
Chrys. Orat. xxxi.; Aristid. Orat. xliv. p. 831.) The sovereign power belonged
to the assembly of the people, which had the final decision of everything; but
nothing was brought before it which had not previously been discussed by the senate
or boule. (Polyb. xvi. 35, xxiii. 3, xxvii. 6, xxviii. 15, xxix. 5; Cic. de Re
Publ. iii. 3. 5) The executive was in the hands of two magistrates called prutaneis,
each of whom governed for six months in the year as eponymus. Next to these, the
admirals (nauarchoi) possessed the most extensive power. Other officers are mentioned
in inscriptions, but their character and functions are often very uncertain. The
Rhodian constitution had its safest foundation in the character and habits of
the people, who, although the vicinity of Asia had a considerable influence and
created a love of splendour and luxury, yet preserved many of their ancient Doric
peculiarities, such as earnestness, perseverance, valour, and patriotism, combined
with an active zeal for literature, philosophy, and art. The intellectual activity
maintained itself in Rhodes long after it had died away in most other parts of
Greece.
The island of Rhodes, which appears even in the earliest traditions
as extremely wealthy (Hom. Il. ii. 670; Pind. Olymp. vii. 49; Philostr. Imag.
ii. 27), is in many parts indeed rough and rocky, especially the coast near the
city of Rhodes, and the district about Lindus, but on the whole it was extremely
fertile: its wine, dried raisins and figs, were much esteemed, and its saffron,
oil, marble, achate, sponges, and fish, are often spoken of. The most important
productions of Rhodian industry were ships, arms, and military engines. Besides
the places already mentioned, the ancients notice Ixia and Mnasyrium, two forts
in the south, and a place called Achaia.
By far the most important place was the city of Rhodus at the north-eastern
extremity of the island. It was built in B.C. 408 upon a regular plan formed by
the architect Hippodamus, the same who built the walls of Peiraeeus. (Strab. xiv.
p. 654; Diod. xix. 45, xx. 83; Harpocrat. s. v.; Hippodameia.) It was constructed
in the form of an amphitheatre rising from the coast, and was protected by strong
walls and towers, while nature provided it with two excellent harbours. The acropolis
rose at the southwestern extremity, and on the slope of it was the theatre. According
to Strabo, Rhodus surpassed all other cities for the beauty and convenience‘ of
its ports, streets, walls, and public edifices, all of which were adorned with
a profusion of works of art both in painting and sculpture. The principal statues
were in the temple of Dionysus and the gymnasium; but the most extraordinary statue,
which is described as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was the brazen
statue of Helios, commonly called the Colossus of Rhodes. It was the work of Chares
of Lindus, who employed upon its execution twelve years. It cost 300 talents,
and was 70 cubits in height: its gigantic size may be inferred from the fact that
few men were able to encompass one of its thumbs with their arms. (Plin. xxxiv.
18; Strab. l. c.) The Colossus stood at the entrance of one of the ports, but
the statement that it stood astride over the entrance, and that the largest ships
could sail between its legs, is in all probability a mere fable. It was overthrown
by an earthquake, 56 years after its erection, that is, in B.C. 224, or according
to others a few years later. Ptolemy promised the Rhodians, among other things,
3000 talents for its restoration (Polyb. v. 89), but it is said not to have been
attempted in consequence of an oracle (Strab. l. c.). Later authorities, however,
speak of it as standing erect: the emperor Commodus is said to have ordered his
own bust to be put upon it; and Cedrenus relates that a king of the Saracens sold
the fragments to a merchant who employed upwards of 900 camels to carry them away.
Notwithstanding the great splendour of the city, the number of its inhabitants
does not appear to have been very great, for during the siege of Demetrius Poliorcetes
no more than 6000 citizens capable of bearing arms are mentioned. (Diod. xx. 84.)
But Rhodus has nevertheless produced many men of eminence in philosophy and literature,
such as Panaetius, Stratocles, Andronicus, Eudemus, Hieronymus, Peisander, Simmias,
and Aristides; while Poseidonius, Dionysius Thrax, and Apollonius, surnamed the
Rhodian, resided in the island for a considerable tine. The present town of Rhodes
contains very few remains of the ancient Greek city. (Comp. P. D. Paulsen, Descriptio
Rhodi Maced. Aetate, Gottingen, 1818 ; I. Rest, Rhodus, ein Hist. Arch. Fragment,
Altona, 1823; Th. Menge, Vorgeschichte von Rhodus, Coln, 1827; Rottier, Descript.
des Monuments de Rhodes, Bruxelles, 1828; Ross, Reisen auf den Griech. Inseln,
iii. pp. 70-113, which contains a good account of the middle-age history and the
present condition of the island and city with maps and plans; Sestini, Mon. Vet.
p. 91.)
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RODOS (Ancient city) DODEKANISSOS
By far the most important place was the city of Rhodus at the north-eastern
extremity of the island. It was built in B.C. 408 upon a regular plan formed by
the architect Hippodamus, the same who built the walls of Peiraeeus. (Strab. xiv.
p. 654; Diod. xix. 45, xx. 83; Harpocrat. s. v.; Hippodameia.) It was constructed
in the form of an amphitheatre rising from the coast, and was protected by strong
walls and towers, while nature provided it with two excellent harbours. The acropolis
rose at the southwestern extremity, and on the slope of it was the theatre. According
to Strabo, Rhodus surpassed all other cities for the beauty and convenience‘ of
its ports, streets, walls, and public edifices, all of which were adorned with
a profusion of works of art both in painting and sculpture. The principal statues
were in the temple of Dionysus and the gymnasium; but the most extraordinary statue,
which is described as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was the brazen
statue of Helios, commonly called the Colossus of Rhodes. It was the work of Chares
of Lindus, who employed upon its execution twelve years. It cost 300 talents,
and was 70 cubits in height: its gigantic size may be inferred from the fact that
few men were able to encompass one of its thumbs with their arms. (Plin. xxxiv.
18; Strab. l. c.) The Colossus stood at the entrance of one of the ports, but
the statement that it stood astride over the entrance, and that the largest ships
could sail between its legs, is in all probability a mere fable. It was overthrown
by an earthquake, 56 years after its erection, that is, in B.C. 224, or according
to others a few years later. Ptolemy promised the Rhodians, among other things,
3000 talents for its restoration (Polyb. v. 89), but it is said not to have been
attempted in consequence of an oracle (Strab. l. c.). Later authorities, however,
speak of it as standing erect: the emperor Commodus is said to have ordered his
own bust to be put upon it; and Cedrenus relates that a king of the Saracens sold
the fragments to a merchant who employed upwards of 900 camels to carry them away.
Notwithstanding the great splendour of the city, the number of its inhabitants
does not appear to have been very great, for during the siege of Demetrius Poliorcetes
no more than 6000 citizens capable of bearing arms are mentioned. (Diod. xx. 84.)
But Rhodus has nevertheless produced many men of eminence in philosophy and literature,
such as Panaetius, Stratocles, Andronicus, Eudemus, Hieronymus, Peisander, Simmias,
and Aristides; while Poseidonius, Dionysius Thrax, and Apollonius, surnamed the
Rhodian, resided in the island for a considerable tine. The present town of Rhodes
contains very few remains of the ancient Greek city.
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SYMI (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Syme (Sume: Symi), an island off the coast of Caria, to the west of
Cape Cynossema, between the Cnidian peninsula and Rhodes, at the entrance of the
Sinus Schoenus. (Herod. i. 174; Thuc. viii. 41; Strab. xiv. p. 656; Scylax, p.
38; Athen. vi. p. 262.) The island is described as 37 Roman miles in circumference,
and as possessing eight harbours (Plin. v. 31, 133) and a town of the same name
as the island. The island itself is very high but barren. According to Stephanus
B. (s. v.; comp. Athen. vii. p. 296) Syme was formerly called Metapontis and Aegle,
and obtained its later name from Syme, a daughter of Ialysus, who, together with
Chthonius, a son of Poseidon, is said to have first peopled the island. In the
story of the Trojan war, Syme enjoys a kind of celebrity, for the hero Nireus
is said to have gone with three ships to assist Agamemnon. (Hom. Il. ii. 671;
Dictys. Cret. iv. 17; Dares Phryg. 21.) The first historical population of the
island consisted of Dorians; but subsequently it fell into the hands of the Carians,
and when they, in consequence of frequent droughts, abandoned it, it was for a
long time uninhabited, until it was finally and permanently occupied by Argives
and Lacedaemonians, mixed with Cnidians and Rhodians. (Diod. Sic. v. 33; Raoul-Rochette,
list. des Colon. Grecques, i. p. 337, iii. p. 72.) There are still a few but unimportant
remains of the acropolis of Syme, which, however, are constantly diminished, the
stones being used to erect modern buildings. (Comp. Ross, Reisen auf den Griech.
Inseln. vol. iii. p. 121, foll.)
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TILOS (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Telos (Telos: Eth. Telios: Dilos or Piscopia), a small rocky island
in the Carpathian sea, between Rhodus and Nisyrus, from the latter of which its
distance is only 60 stadia, Strabo (x. p. 488) describes it as long and high,
and abounding in stones fit for millstones. Its circumference was 80 stadia, and
it contained a town of the same name, a harbour, hot springs, and a temple of
Poseidon. The attribute long given to it by Strabo is scarcely correct, since
the island is rather of a circular form. The family of the Sicilian tyrant Gelon
originally came from Telos. (Herod. vii. 153.) According to Pliny (iv. 69) the
island was celebrated for a species of ointment, and was in ancient times called
Agathussa. (Steph. B. s. v. Telos; Scylax, p. 38; Stadiasm. Mar. Magni, § 272.)
The town of Telos was situated on the north coast, and remains of it are still
seen above the modern village of Episcopi. The houses, it appears, were all built
in terraces rising above one another, and supported by strong walls of unhewn
stone. The acropolis, of which likewise a few remains exist, was at the top, which
is now occupied by a mediaeval castle. Inscriptions have been found in Telos in
great numbers, but, owing to the nature of the stone, many of them are now illegible.
(Comp. Ross, Hellenica, i. p. 59, foll., Reisen auf den Griech. Inseln, iv. p.
42, foll.)
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CHALKI (Island) DODEKANISSOS
Chalke, or Chalcia (Chalkia). An island of the Carpathian Sea, near Rhodes.
FARMAKONISSI (Small island) LEROS
(Pharmakousa). An island off the coast of Miletus, where Iulius Caesar was taken prisoner by pirates. Here, too, King Attalus died.
KINAROS (Island) LEROS
A small island in the Aegean Sea, east of Naxos, celebrated for its artichokes (kinarai).
KOS (Island) DODEKANISSOS
An island of the Aegean, one of the Sporades, west of the promontory
of Doris. Its more ancient names were Cea, Staphylus, Nymphaea, and Meropis, of
which the last was the most common. The colonizing of this island must have taken
place at a very early date, since Homer makes mention of it as a populous settlement
The inhabitants were of Dorian origin, and closely connected with the Doric colonies
on the mainland. Its chief city was Cos, anciently called Astypalaea. Strabo remarks
that the city of Cos was not large, but very populous, and seen to great advantage
by those who came thither by sea. Without the walls was a celebrated temple of
Aesculapius, enriched with many admirable works of art, and among others, two
famous paintings of Apelles, the Antigonus and Aphrodite Anadyomene. The latter
painting was so much admired that Augustus removed it to Rome and consecrated
it to Iulius Caesar; and in consideration of the loss thus inflicted on the Coans,
he is said to have remitted a tribute of one hundred talents which had been laid
on them. Besides the great painter just mentioned, Cos could boast of ranking
among her sons the first physician of antiquity, Hippocrates. The soil of the
island was very productive, especially in wine, which vied with those of Chios
and Lesbos. It was also celebrated for its purple dye, and for its manufacture
of a species of transparent silk stuff.
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LEROS (Island) DODEKANISSOS
A small island, one of the Sporades, opposite to the mouth of the Sinus Iassius, on the coast of Caria ( Herod.v. 125). Here the sisters of Meleager were said to have been transformed into guinea-pigs (meleagrides).
LINDOS (Ancient city) LINDOS
One of the three Dorian cities in the island of Rhodes, situated
on the eastern coast. Its modern name is Lindo. It is mentioned by Homer, with
its kindred cities, Ialysus and Camirus. These three cities, with Cos, Cnidus,
and Halicarnassus, formed the original Hexapolis, in the southwest corner of Asia
Minor. Lindus stood upon a mountain in a district abounding in vines and figs,
and had two celebrated temples, one of Athene surnamed Aindia and one of Heracles.
It was the birthplace of Cleobulus, one of the seven wise men. It retained much
of its consequence even after the foundation of Rhodes. Inscriptions of some importance
have been found in its Acropolis.
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NISSYROS (Island) DODEKANISSOS
(Nisouros). A small island in the Carpathian Sea, off Caria. Its volcanic nature gave rise to the fable respecting its origin that Poseidon tore it off the neighbouring island of Cos to hurl it upon the giant Polybotes. It is now Nikero.
PATMOS (Island) DODEKANISSOS
One of the islands called Sporades, in the Icarian Sea, celebrated as the place to which the Apostle John was banished, and in which he wrote the Apocalypse.
RHODES (Island) DODEKANISSOS
The most easterly island of the Aegaean, or, more specifically, of
the Carpathian Sea, lying off the southern coast of Caria, due south of the promontory
of Cynossema (Cape Aloupo), at the distance of about twelve geographical miles.
Its length, from northeast to southwest, is about forty-five miles; its greatest
breadth about twenty to twenty-five. In early times it was called Aethraea and
Ophiussa, and several other names. There are various mythological stories about
its origin and peopling. Its Hellenic colonization is ascribed to Tlepolemus,
the son of Heracles, before the Trojan War, and after that war to Althaemenes.
Homer mentions the three Dorian settlements in Rhodes--namely, Lindus, Ialysus,
and Camirus; and these cities, with Cos, Cnidus, and Halicarnassus, formed the
Dorian Hexapolis, which was established, from a period of unknown antiquity, in
the southwest corner of Asia Minor. Rhodes soon became a great maritime State,
or rather confederacy, the island being parcelled out between the three cities
above mentioned. The Rhodians made distant voyages and founded numerous colonies.
At the beginning of the Peloponnesian War, Rhodes was one of those
Dorian maritime States which were subject to Athens; but in the twentieth year
of the war, B.C. 412, it joined the Spartan alliance, and the oligarchical party,
which had been depressed, and their leaders, the Eratidae, expelled, recovered
their former power under Dorieus. In 408 the new capital, called Rhodus, was built,
and peopled from the three ancient cities of Ialysus, Lindus, and Camirus. At
the Macedonian conquest the Rhodians submitted to Alexander, but upon his death
expelled the Macedonian garrison. In the ensuing wars they formed an alliance
with Ptolemy, the son of Lagus, and their city, Rhodes, successfully endured a
most famous siege by the forces of Demetrius Poliorcetes, who at length, in admiration
of the valour of the besieged, presented them with the engines he had used against
the city, from the sale of which they defrayed the cost of the celebrated Colossus.
At length they came into connection with the Romans, whose alliance they joined,
with Attalus, king of Pergamus, in the war against Philip III. of Macedon. In
the ensuing war with Antiochus the Rhodians gave the Romans great aid with their
fleet; and in the subsequent partition of the Syrian possessions of Asia Minor,
they were rewarded by the supremacy of Southern Caria, where they had had settlements
from an early period. A temporary interruption of their alliance with Rome was
caused by their espousing the cause of Perseus, for which they were severely punished
(B.C. 168); but they recovered the favour of Rome by the important naval aid they
rendered in the Mithridatic War. In the Civil Wars they took part with Caesar,
and suffered in consequence from Cassius, but were afterwards compensated for
their losses by the favour of Antonius. They were at length deprived of their
independence by Claudius; and their prosperity received its final blow from an
earthquake, which laid the city of Rhodes in ruins, in the reign of Antoninus
Pius, A.D. 155.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
SYMI (Island) DODEKANISSOS
A small island off the southwest coast of Caria, lay in the mouth of the Sinus Doirdis to the west of the promontory of Cynossema.
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