Chios has been famous ever since.
The myth tells that the island owes its name to the daughter of Oinopeonas, Chiona.
Also according to the legend, Chios is said to be the birthplace of the famous lyric poet Homer.
According to archaeological findings, the first traces of inhabitants in Chios date back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
During the 7th century BC, Chios, like Samos, excelled in arts and some of the best Greek sculptors of the time came from the School of Sculpture in Chios.
During the naval Battle of Salamina, Chios joined the Persians.
But during the Peloponnesian war, its inhabitants fought at the side of the Athenians and were under the control of Athens until 356 BC. |
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In the 14th century, the Genoese took the island and remained there until 1566, when Chios was recaptured by the Turks.
Nevertheless, since the island was exporting mastic in many countries and selling it to the Sultan, its inhabitants had more privileges than in any other part of Greece.
Thanks to the trading, the island of Chios prospered and developed literature and the arts.
The School of Chios was founded during the 18th century and many churches and wealthy mansions were built.
The population grew and the island had the privilege to be under the rule of the elders islanders of the community.
With the Greek revolution of 1821, the inhabitants of Chios were roused by Lykourgos
Logothetis of Samos who led his army to fight a Turkish garrison. |
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that number of people into slavery.
On the night of June 6th 1822, Kanaris revenged for Chios massacre, by killing the Turkish Admiral Kara Ali Pasha.
The massacre of Chios increased the sympathy of the rest of Europe and the growth of Philhellenism.
After the massacre, Victor Hugo wrote his wonderful poem “L’enfant de Chios” and Delacroix painted Le Massacre de Chios, which can be admired in the Louvre Museum.
The first refugees started to return to Chios in 1832.
On the 22nd of March 1881, a disastrous earthquake destroyed the island, causing 6000 deaths, numerous damages and the destruction of many building in the capital.
On the 11th of November 1912, the island of Chios was finally liberated and reunited with the newly built Greek State. |
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