The island of Kea was inhabited for a long period, since the late Neolithic times, and was known as Hydroussa. However, the history of its early times is interwined with mythology, according to which the vast springs and fountains of this island were home to the nymphs.
These nymphs are said to be chased off Kea by a fierce lion sent by the gods, who were jealous of the beauty of this island. According to their plans, after this the place became dry
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Coming back to real history, the first historical fact that the resources point out, apart from the prehistoric settlement that has been found in Agia Irini area, is the Persian invasion and the battles of Salamis and Artemisium.
In both of them, Kea fought along with Athens, and these were the only Cyclades islands to fight on the Greek side, along with Naxos, Tinos, and Kythnos - Kythnos went over the Persians side once they won, a detrainment that cost them a high indemnity imposed |
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The final victory against the Persians came in 479 BC, and took place at Plataea, where the 31 fighting states dedicated a trophy to Apollo, who was said to be placed in the sanctuary at Delphi.
This is fact was confirmed in 1912 when this trophy -that consisted of a column- was uncovered in Constantinople. Once it was carefully cleaned, the names of these winning states- among which the proud Kea is found- became intelligible. These were scripted on the bronze serpents decorating the column, on their lower coils. |
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