Archaeological finds prove that this island has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
The Minoans settled on the island around the 14th century BC, followed by the Achaeans and, a few centuries later, the Dorians came and built the ancient city of Kos. The Persians conquered the island of Kos during the 5th century BC, but were defeated by the Athenians who took control of the island during the battle of Salamina.
460 BC is the year during which Hippocrates, the father of Medicine and founder of the first School of Medicine, was born.
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Spartians invaded it in 411 BC.
In 394 BC, Kos became again an ally with Athens and democracy was introduced on Kos.
This period was characterized by a cultural, educational and economical growth.
In 335 BC, the island of Kos became a part of the Macedonian Empire.
After the death of Alexander the Great, his successors the Ptolemies took control of the island and of the rest of the Dodecanese.
The Byzantine period brought prosperity and wealth on Kos, unfortunately threatened by the constant pirate raids of which the most dangerous were the attacks of the Saracens. |
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In 1204 AD, the Venetians occupied the island of Kos.
The Knights of Saint John, who established on Rhodes, also took the control of Kos in 1315 AD.
A century later, they built the superb fortress that stands today at the entrance of the harbour of Kos as well as the Castle of Antimachia village.
In 1522, the Turks took the island and held it until 1912, when the Italian troupes invaded Kos and expelled them.
The disastrous earthquake of 1934 almost destroyed the whole island.
The Germans replaced the Italians in 1943.
The German occupation was a very dark period for the inhabitants of Kos who endured great suffering and deprivations.
he nightmare ended in 1945 when Kos came under British rule.
Finally, on the 7th of March 1948, Kos got united to the newly built Greek State. |
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