Most foreigners visiting Greece usually have in mind various cosmopolitan islands that are offered for tourism and entertainment. But how many people know the enchanting island of Delos in the Cyclades complex?
Delos is located next to the cosmopolitan and internationally known island of Mykonos and is a wonderful place that flourished especially in antiquity. Today it is a real museum of itself, extremely interesting for any visitor.
According to mythology, in Delos Leto gave birth to the twin gods Apollo and Artemis. It is also worth noting that the ancient Greek word Delos means "obvious".
In ancient times the island had 30,000 inhabitants. Its urban space started gradually from a small center that developed anarchically towards the periphery.
So, Delos became an island with huge economic activity and trade in antiquity. Thus, it is no coincidence that there were buildings that functioned as "Exchanges".
As was the case in other ancient Greek cities, so in the public space of Delos there were many Hermaic columns, ie stone columns with a statue of a man at the top, which functioned as road signs or tributes.
The story of the ancient Athenian Alcibiades, who was accused of destroying Hermaic columns, is well known, so he sought refuge in the rival city of Sparta.
Τhe inhabitants of Delos believed a lot in magic. A symbol of magic and good luck for them was the phallus. So everywhere on the island phalluses were erected on columns. Also, according to the famous Greek archaeologist, Konstantinos Tsakos, small phalluses were used as amulets, hung around the neck.
There was a case when a sponsor of a play from Delos won the theatrical competition. So he erected two large phalluses with pedestals, which are still on the island.
Due to the wealth accumulated in Delos, many wealthy residents began to build luxury homes. One of the most famous was the residence of Cleopatra.
The citizens of Delos were very cosmopolitan, so the theater was not missing from their daily lives.
The banquets also belonged to the daily life of Delos. The cuisine of ancient Delos was also interesting, according to a statement by the French archaeologist and excavator on the island, Jean - Charles Moretti.
Delos was known in antiquity for the wonderful aromas that were made there.
As for the shopping center of Delos, it had 300 stores and 100 houses.
The magnificent mosaics of ancient Delos are also famous.
However, the population explosion that was to follow the huge economic growth of Delos, contributed to a great urban anarchy.
Nevertheless, Delos had a developed sewage system.
Unfortunately, two raids by the king of Pontus, Mithridates, in 88 BC and 69 BC. marked the end of its lifting for the prosperous island of Delos. In fact, during the first raid, 20,000 inhabitants of the island were killed.
The island was inhabited until the early Christian times. Today it is a field of archaeological research.
Finally, one of the statues of lions of Delos, is today in Venice. Unfortunately, its head has been removed, since it was considered ugly by the Venetians. Another was added in its place.
THE END
Watch the whole magnificent programme "The time machine" about Delos, by Demetris Petropoulos, pressing the following link:
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