In
the wealth of ancient Greek mythology there are two references to Mykonos.
The first tells us that the island took its name from the hero Mykonos and
the other that it was on Mykonos that Hercules slew the Giants and that
the large rocks which lie scattered about the island are their petrified
corpses in antiquity, the greatest growth of this island was noted
in the historical years during which there were two important cities,
Mykonos and Panormos.
During the period between World War I and World War II, tourism made its first appearance. From the mid-50s on the island has been gradually transformed into an important tourist, cosmopolitan and artistic centre. The Venetians conquered Mykonos in 1207 and by Turks in 1537 Mykono's fleet energetically took part in the 1821 Revolution in which the figure of Manto Mavrogenous stood out. In October 1822, the Turks undertook a landing on the island, but the Mykonians under their heroic woman leader, Manto Mavroyenous, successfully repulsed it.
After liberation (1830) Mykonos managed to re-establish its commercial fleet but the after coming dominance of the steamship resulted in the gradual constriction of their shipping activities by the end of the past century.
According to
Greek mythology, Delos is the place where Apollo, the god of light and
Artemis, goddess of hunting, both Lito and Zeus children, were born. The
myth says that the island called Delos was revealed from the waves when
Lito, chased by Zeus wife, Hera, could not find a place to give birth to
Apollo and Artemis. Zeus asked Poseidons help and he revealed a small
rocky island called Delos, a word which means & laqno; revealed»,
&laqno; shown». All the islands around Delos which form a circle were
called & laqno; Cyclades» Delos was first inhabited by Cares or
Phoenicians during the 3rd millennium BC.
In Neolithic
Ages, (1600 - 1500 BC) the island was quite developed whereas between 1500
and 1200 BC we know that an important settlement was formed. Around 1100
BC Ions came to the island bringing with them the Apollos worship. In 700
BC the island becomes the centre of an Ionian amphicyte, which was the
basis for commercial development. In 540 BC Athenians forbade the burial
of the dead in Delos because the island belonged to Apollo. The Persians
respected the island during the Persian Wars.
In 477 BC Athenians decided a new & laqno; purification» of
the island and forbade people from being born and dying on it. They also
ordered the transfer of all dead people from Delos to the neighbouring
Rinia. At the same time Athenians decreed a glorious ceremony, & laqno;
Delia» held every five years. In 314 BC, Delos was under the protection
of Ptolemy of Egypt and then under the influence of Macedonians when
another flourishing period starts.
During Roman Times, the island turns into a important port in the Aegean Sea. This is the most prosperous time in its history. In 88 BC Mithridatis, King of Pontos, who was in war with the Romans, destroys Delos and Mykonos and looted the sanctum.
