One of the many erotic adventures of Zeus, the greatest god of the ancient Greeks, brought about the “discovery” of Thassos. Long ago, Agenor was king of eastern Phoenicia. He had three sons, Phoenix, Cilix and Cadmus, and one daughter, Europa.

One day Zeus transformed himself into a bull, kidnapped the buxom Europa and carried her on his back to the Dictaean Cave in Crete. There, in the form of a handsome eagle, Zeus coupled with Europa, and from that sacred union three sons were born: Minos, the famous king of Crete, Rhadamanthys, the wise lawgiver, and Sarpedon, the first king of Lycia.

While Europa, hidden in Crete, Agenor called his sons and his grandson Thassos and ordered them to look for Europa and not to return unless they found her.

Phoenix set out towards the south. Cilix went north until he reached a fertile land where he made himself king: since then it has been known as Cilicia. After wandering through the Greek islands, Cadmus continued his search in mainland Greece. He visited the oracle of Apollo at Delphi and consulted Pythia the priestess. Although he followed her advice, he was unable to find Europa. After passing through Phocis he came to Boeotia, where he built an acropolis, Cadmeia, and below it a town with broad avenues, which he named Thebes.

Thassos, Agenor’s grandson, searched for Europe in various places until he came to an island off Thrace. Captivated by its marvelous climate and lush vegetation and unable to return without Europa, he gave up his quest. He and his retinue settled on the island, which has borne his name ever since.

Herodotus, the greatest historian of antiquity, is categorical on this matter. He says the island is “now called after that Phoenician Thassos”. Because of its clear air and cool summer breezes, the ancient poets gave the island other names, such as Aeria. It was also called Aethria, meaning “clear blue sky”, and Chrysia, a reference to the lustrous gleam of the gold (chrysos) once mined there.