History

Sporades

The Sporades Islands owe their name to the fact that they are scattered in North Aegean. At a short distance from the coast of northern Evia and the peninsula of Magnesia, Skiathos, Skopelos, Skyros, Alonissos and many other smaller, mainly uninhabited islands, they create a beautiful summer picture.

The history of the Sporades Islands, which began in the Paleolithic era, has come about due to its geographical position. Archaeological evidence of this has been found in Kokkinokastro in Alonissos. The Sporades developed as far back as the Minoan Civilization.

North Aegean

From the Mesolithic Age, the North Aegean, as indeed the entire Aegean, ceased to be an obstacle and became a bridge joining the inhabitants of the region. Shipping, trade, economy, culture and social interactions developed in the archipelago and surrounding areas on the basis of communication and contact between the inhabitants. This was especially true after the permanent settlement of the islands 5000 years BC.

The islands of the north Aegean were in such a position that shipping and trade contributed greatly to the development of a significant culture. The culture reaches its peak around 3000BC. The growth of settlements such as Poliochnis in Lemnos, Emporiou in Chios and Iraiou in Samos, amongst others, are evidence of the importance of these centers at this time.

At the end of 2000BC the Ionians have installed themselves in Chios while Samos and Lesvos are in the hands of the Achaens. In the late 12th and early 11th centuries, a time when vast numbers of the people moved to Greece, the Aioleis arrived in Lesvos.

From the 8th to the 5th century BC the islands enjoyed great prosperity in their economy, trade and the arts. The islands were conquered by the Persians in the Midikous Wars in the 5th century BC. After their release in 468BC they made an alliance with Athens. However, during the Peloponnese War (429-404 BC ) their allegiance swayed between Athens and Sparta. In 338BC the Macedonians came into power followed by Ptolemy of Egypt. After this period the islands suffered the same fate as the rest of Greece by becoming the province of the Roman Empire. During the Byzantine era there is calm in the North Aegean. At times this calm was upset by raids from barbarians and pirates.

After the conquest of Constantinople by the Franks in 1204AD the islands find themselves shared amongst the Venetians, Genoese and Frank princes. Under this rule shipping and trade flourished. The fall of Constantinople in 1453AD and the founding of the Ottoman Empire resulted in a period of destruction, plundering and persecution for the islands. The occupation also led to the decline of the Christian population. In the early 16th century the islands began to enjoy a period of prosperity.

The inhabitants of the islands were actively involved in the 1821 Revolution and the emergence of leaders in the struggle such as Lykourgos Logothetis, Kanaris and Papnikolis brought about reprisals from the Turkish authorities.The massacres of Chios in 1822AD and Psara in 1824AD brought attention from European powers bringing a wind of change which helped the Greeks to recover their freedom.

However, due to their position on the Mikrasiatika coast, the Turks did not let go of their hold on the islands easily. It was not until 1912 when the islands of the north Aegean were finally incorporated into the Greek state.