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Lesvos

Lesvos was the kingdom of Makaras. Makaras had 5 daughters, Mitilini, Mithimna, Issa, Antissa and Arisvi and 4 sons, Ereso, Kirdolao, Neandro and Lefkippo. Some of the greatest cities of ancient Lesvos were named after Makaras's daughters and Ereso.

In the prehistoric times the island was known by a number of names such as Lasia, Imerti, Pelasgia, Makaria and Aeolis. During the Ottoman rule, the Turks called it Altin Antasi, in other words the Golden Island. Today's name of Lesvos, according to one version, came from a Phoenician word esvou meaning seven, while another version says that the island got its name from the word lespis, which means precious gem. Historian Diodoros of Sicily said that Lesvos got its name from Lesvo, son of the Thessalian king Lapithou who married the daughter of Makaras, Mithimna.

Life on Lesvos, as revealed by excavations by archaeologists in the Thermis area, has been traced to 3000 BC and the civilization is similar to that in Troy and Mycenae. The first inhabitants of Lesvos were the Pelasgians from Argos or Thessaly. They were succeeded by others, namely the Makares (around 1826 BC) who were joined by the Pelasgians lead by Lesvos. The Pelasgian walls, which can be found at Perados, Kerania, Arisbe and Tsinia, are the evidence of the presence of Pelasgians on the island.

The island was abandoned during the destruction of Defkaliona around 1680 BC. In 1507 BC, Xantho and his followers once again inhabited it. Between 1393-1184 BC it was inhabited by the Achaians while in 1290 BC Eteoklis helped gained independence for the island.

Lesvos took part in the Trojan War on the side of the Trojans and their leader Pileo. Sixty years after the downfall of the Trojans, Aeolians inhabited the island and king Penthilidis led the island to prosperity and to the gaining of the entire western part of Asia Minor. He governed the island until Megaklis assassinated him. In the classic age Lesvos was a major sea power, which was prevailing in the Aegean for 60 years. Its ships reached Carthage and the Black Sea. The island had a large population and letters and arts were thriving. Lesbians had established colonies on the opposite coasts of Asia Minor the island was taken over by the Persians in 527 BC and joined battles against Egypt (527 BC), Darios against Skythes (513 BC) and the Ionian Revolution (499 BC) when Lesvos gained its independence. That was the era of the historian Ellanikos. In the 494 BC Persians again took over the island and the islanders had to joint Xerxes in his battle against the Greeks (480 BC) and then joined the Greeks in their naval victory in Mykali (479 BC), gaining once again their freedom.

Lesvos took part in the Attica League until 428 BC at which time all town of the island, except Mythimna, were controlled by the league. That's when a long war between Athens and Lesvos occurred, the islanders being supported by Sparta. The war lasted until 406 BC when the island became the property of Athens.

In 387 BC the island become self-governing while in 375 BC it took part in the Second Attica League. By 334 BC the Macedonians make their appearance and Lesvos becomes part of Macedonia and follows its destiny.

The Romans destroyed the island in 168 BC but by 88 BC the island is back on its feet enjoying economical and cultural prosperity.

During the Byzantine era, the island suffered with invasions from the Saracens, Turks and Enetons. In 1204 AD the Franks gave the island to Valdouino I.

Lesvos witnessed many other difficult times until 1354 when Francisco Gatelouzos of Geneva, son-in-law of the great Byzantine Emperor Ioannis Paleologos, took over the island as part of a dowry. He kept led the island through calm waters until Ottoman Turks took over the island on October 14, 1462.

Lesvos was freed once again in 1912 and it was given over to Greece in 1923. The Germans took over in 1941 during World War II and three year’s later independence finally came to Lesvos. The cultural tradition of the island includes famous names, such as Pittakos (627 BC), one of the seven wise men of the antiquity, Alkeos (610 BC) the lyric poet and Sapfo (612 BC) the poetess who was called the tenth muse. Further Terpandos and Arion, the two musicians, Hellanicos the historian, Theophrastos the philosopher. Modern Lesbians who are eminent continuators of the bright cultural past are: Stratis Myrivillis, Odysseas Elytis, Theophilos the painter and others.

Lesvos which in ancient times owing to its natural wealth and its sea power contributed in the thieving of the bright Hellenic civilization and its expanding over the major Greek territory is now a peaceful island in a "golden-green leaf thrown in the sea" of the Aegean which is opening a great number of roads to all directions thus justifying its ancient splendor and fame.

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