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| CHIOS
BEACHES |
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Chios
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Chios
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| CHIOS,
EIGHT THOUSAND YEARS OF CIVILIZATION |
People inhabited Chios very early due to its geographically
important position and its mild climatic conditions.
The earliest archaeological findings date back to
the 6th millenium. Excavations in Emporios and Aghio
Galas provide us with information about agricultural
/ farming communities formed during the Neolithic
Age and the early Age of Copper. According to the
myth, the first settler of Chios was Oinopeon whose
daughter, the nymphe Chione, gave her name to the
island.
The Ions came to Chios and the surrounding area
around 1000 BC. Chios soon developed financially
and culturally and it is considered as the birthplace
of Homer, the greatest poet of all times. A great
naval and merchant power exporting selective products
such as ceramics and wine, which was considered
as the best and the most expensive in ancient times.
The Chian art also flourishes and masterpieces of
Mikkiadis, Archermos, Voupalos and Athenis used
to decorate many greek cities.
Chios participated in revolutions and war events
until the establishment of Constantinople when,
as the first Christian monuments show, it was very
developed. However piracy and the Arabian raids
influenced the island negatively. During the 9th
century AD the Byzantine state was reorganised and
the fortress of Chios was built to ensure its safety.
Other small fortresses and watching towers (vigles)
was built in seeral locations of the island.
Nea Moni, the great monastery, established by the
Byzantine Emperor Constantine the 9th the Gladiator,
played a significant role not only in the religious
and cultural life but also in the economy of the
island.
Chios continues to be the centre of the encounters
among Byzantines, Europeans and Turks. The Genoese
occupied the island in 1346 and for the next 200
years Mahona, Justiniani’s company controlled
the economy of Chios. The fortress became the centre
of the town with impressive buildings, the fortress-villages
were organised and the exploitation of the mastic
gum was the main source of wealth for the conquerors.
The Turks occupied the island in 1566 without any
resistance. The Chians used to have certain privileges
due to exclusive products like the mastic gum. The
economy flourished again based mainly on the weaving
and Chios was considered as the paradise of the
East. The massacre though in 1822 by the Turks and
the destructive earthquake in 1881 left nothing
on the island but relics and ceased all its activities.
After the liberation from the Turkish occupation
in 1912 Chios followed the common route of the Greek
State. The most important events which influenced
the life of the island was the war in Asia Minor
with the settlement of thousands of refugees, the
Second World War and the Greek - Turkish political
crisis in 1974.
In spite of all the war destructions, the earthquakes
and the unplanned building constructions, the evidence
of its long history, the high living standard, the
tradition in wealth, education and nobility, the
wonderful climate and the Aegean light make Chios
a place which impresses and enchants.
ATHENA ZACHAROU - LOUTRARI Ph.D.
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