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Myconos
island
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Delos
Delos
was the most important Panhellenic sanctuary, and, according to mythology,
the birth-place of Apollo and Artemis. The first signs of habitation on
the island date from the 3rd millenium B.C., and important remains of the
Mycenaean period have been uncovered in the area of the sanctuary. In the
7th century B.C. Delos was already a known Ionic centre because of its
religious importance as the birth-place of Apollo.
Athenian
influence was initiated on the sanctuary with the first purification
of Delos by Peisistratos in 540 B.C. but it gradually developed into a
proper domination lasting - with short intervals - until the end of the
4th century B.C., when Delos was finally declared free and independent
(314 B.C.).The independence of the island lasted until 166 B.C. when the
Romans gave it over to the Athenians. The second Athenian domination started
with the definite expulsion of the Delians to Achaia, in the Peloponnese.
The declaration of Delos as an international" harbour by the Romans led
to an influx of foreigners who became a significant element of the island's
population. The absence of taxes resulted to the concentration of trade
activity on the island and, subsequently, to its economic prosperity.
The
close relations of Delos with Rome, though, was the main reason for its
decline. During Mithridates' wars againts the Romans,Delos suffered severe
damage in the raids of 88 B.C. and 69 B.C. Since then, the island's prosperity
gradually came to an end. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. only a small
settlement existed on Delos and, as Christianity had gradually replaced
the ancient religion, the island finally lost its importance. Delos was
a sacred place with splendid buildings and sanctuaries and as such, it
was never forgotten; many references are
preserved
by travellers who visited the island in the last centuries. Numerous pieces
of sculpture were transferred to Museums of Greece and abroad, while marbles
from the ancient buildings were used as building material by the inhabitants
of the nearby islands.Excavations on Delos started in 1873 by the French
School of Archaeology at Athens. Between 1904 and 1914, under the direction
of M. Holleaux and thanks to the donation of Duke de Loubat, the most significant
sections of the ancient site were uncovered.Intensive excavations were
conducted in the years 1958-1975. The excavations are still carried out
by the French School of Archaeology, but the religious, political and commercial
centre of the island has already been revealed along with many private
houses. Restricted excavations were also conducted by Greek archaeologists
at the beginning of the century. Large-scale restoration work has been
undertaken by the French School of Archaeology mainly in the sector of
the private houses,but in the recent years, the 21st Ephorate of Prehistoric
and Classical Antiquities has also carried out similar work. Several columns
have been rebuilt and ancient houses have been roofed in order to protect
the mosaic floors (House of the Trident, House of the
Masks,
House of Hermes). In 1990 Delos was included in the World's Cultural Heritage,
protected by the UNESCO.
The
most important monuments of the site are:
The
Agora of the Competaliasts
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The Temple
of the Delians
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The Minoan
Fountain
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Terrace
of the Lions
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The Establishment
of the Poseidoniasts from Beirut
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The Stoivadeion
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The Theatre
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Temple
of Isis
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The Temple
of Hera
The
"House of Dionysos"
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