IOS TRAVEL GUIDE

IOS > HISTORY

HISTORY

Ios has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It is one of the southest Cyclades islands, located in a strategic spot on the sea route to Crete and south Asia. It had a significant role in the evolution of Cycladic civilization.

The archaeological findings in Skarko's hill reveal the existence of a protocycladic settlement in Ios.

Life in the island went on through all historic periods and followed the rest of the Cyclades in its development and turbulent times.

At the end of the 2nd millennium BC Ions spread to the west coast of Asia Minor and conquered the Aegean islands. Ios was then inhabited by Ion colonists from whom-according to a theory - took its name.

During classic times Ios, in order to protect itself from the Persians, made an alliance with Athens.

After Heronia's battle in 338BC, Ios submitted to the Macedonians. In 315BC it regained its freedom and became an equal member of the "Islands Kino". At this time the island flourished. It had trade transactions with the other Cyclades islands and Rhodes and had its own coin.

During Roman times the island turned into a land where undesirables were banished.

In 1207 Enetics take over Ios as with all the Cyclades islands and falls under Naxos' duchy established by Marcus Sanoudos.

Naxos' dukes govern the island until 1371 when Fragiskos Krispos murders Duke Nikolao. Krispos' dynasty had total control of the island until 1517. In 1566 Ios is taken over by Turkish who re-name the island, Aine.

During the 1831 revolution, Ios had an active part in all battles.

In 1829 Ios passes into the young Greek State following the Convention of London.