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Delos – Sacred Isle of Ancient Greece

Delos, a small island just fifteen minutes by ferry from Mykonos in the Cyclades group of islands in the Aegean Sea, is one of the most important sites of Ancient Greece.

It became a sacred place and pilgrimage site because Apollo and Artemis, two of the most important dieties in the Greek pantheon, were born here.

Delos is a small island of only four square kilometres and the ancient ruins here cover a distance of just a few hundred metres north to south and east to west.

 

Delos

Excavations started in 1872 involved French archaeologists, who uncovered the ruins. They unearthed The Sanctuary to Apollo and a good part of the Hellenistic town. Further findings put ancient Delos among the most important ruins discovered from the civilization of the Ancient Greeks. The excavations on the site are ongoing.

The ruins of the sanctuaries honouring Apollo, the god of light, harmony and balance and Artemis, the moon goddess and his twin sister, are in the centre of the site.

Statue of Artemis
Statue of Artemis

The early inhabitants of Delos had built simple dwellings around 2500 BC where they could have easily spot approaching enemies.

The sanctuary to Apollo was established around the 9th century BC. The settlement grew around it and by 200 BC, when it became a free port, commercial activity in the eastern Mediteranean congregated in the isle.

A feature of the site are the Naxian lions. Their lean bodies were masterfully executed by sculptors from the nearby island of Naxos in the 7th century BC.

Of the original nine lions three disappeared – one was captured by the Venetians in the 17th century and adorns the Arsenale in Venice

Naxian Lion
Naxian Lion

Delos had reached its height during the golden era of classical Greek civilization after the Greek victory against the Persians in the Persian Wars.

By the 3rd century BC, rich merchants, bankers and ship owners settled here because of its free port status which made it a trading hub in the Eastern Mediterranean. They attracted builders, artists and craftsmen who built for them luxury houses with richly decorated frescoes and mosaic floors. Some of best examples can be seen in the House of Masques.

House of Masques  mosaic
House of Masques  mosaic

Other dwellings were erected in the slopes of Mt Kynthos. Many walls and roads of this settlement remain. The summit offers splendid views across the Aegean and the neighbouring island of Mykonos.

Delos Mosaic floor
Delos Mosaic floor

The Romans occupied Delos when they defeated the Greeks but soon undefended wealth brought ruin to the island.

In first century as it was plundered and for centuries every passing seafarer stopped to collect prizes from the ruins

View from Mt Kynthos
View from Mt Kynthos

 

Empire Builders – The Ancient Greeks.

Destination – Greece