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General information about Naxos
Naxos is the largest island in the archipelago. A mountain ridge divides the island in two.
On the west coast you’ll find Chora (or Naxos Town), the capital and the main port, with
plains and sandy beaches to the south. The east coast is steep and less fertile.
Its highest peak is Mount Zeus or Zas, near Filoti, which is about 1,001 m. and is the
highest of the Cyclades. The second highest peak, in the north, is Mavro Vouni, the ‘black
mountain’ and elevates to 997 m. Roads to the east coast are rare.
Naxos has always been famous for its wine. Other local products are olive oil, fruits,
marble and potatoes.
History of Naxos

Mythology
The archaeologists that have worked on Naxos have concluded that Naxos was of
decisive importance for the Cyclades and the Greek world. Due to natural factors, Naxos
was assured of self-sufficiency down the ages. Just as today, fruit, olive oil, wine, marble
and emery were famous.
The myths tell us about Naxos’s general prosperity. Zeus is said to be raised on Naxos
and was worshipped as Zeus Melosios, protector of the flocks, as was Apollo. Ares, god of
war, once took refuge in the depth of the earth on Naxos, in “the stone that eats iron”,
which is a reference to emery.
But it was Dionysus, god of wine and embodier of all bucolic charms and advantages of
Naxos, who was born and raised here. The marriage between Dionysus and Ariadne,
whom he met at Naxos, her death and rebirth, were the focus of wild celebrations. This
cult, focusing on the ripening, death and regeneration of nature was highly developed.
The Thracians are told to be the first inhabitants of Naxos, and held the island for two
hundred years, being succeeded by the Carian king Naxos from Asia Minor, who gave his
name to the island.

Ancient history
The earliest civilisation goes back to the 3rd millennium BC, the Cycladic period. Naxos
had a large population that lived mostly at the eastern, steep and less fertile side of the
island and to the south. At Panermos, a settlement from this period has been
excavated. At Grotta, there was a much larger and more developed settlement, as rich
finds in pottery have shown. Most of the knowledge about this period comes from the
cemeteries that were found all over the island and have brought art and craftsmanship
to light.

In 1400 BC, when the Cretan Minoan empire collapsed, the Mycenaean and other
powers were able to expand eastwards into the Aegean. A large city was founded in
Grotta that survived for several centuries.

Around the 7th century BC, an oligarchic regime of powerful and rich nobles (the
‘pacheis’ – fat ones) ruled Naxos. At the place of the Venetian Castle, the main town
resided. The people lived from agriculture, stockbreeding, fishing and trade. Friendly
relations existed with Thira and Chalkis. Colonists went to Arkesine and perhaps Anafi,
but were also sent west, to Sicily in Italy. One of the colonies was given the name of
‘Naxos’, in return of providing transport.
Naxos appears to have operated and controlled the religious centre of Delos, as the
oldest buildings and offerings are Naxian. At about this period, it began to export
marble for building projects on Delos, along with its skilled craftsmen. The fortunes they
made allowed them to dedicate expensive offerings to their own gods, amongst which
the lions of Delos (dedicated to Apollo) and the impressive ‘kouroi’, of which most are
unfinished. Two of them can be found at Melanes and Apollonas. Another example is
the marble temple on the islet of Palatia, dedicated to Apollo and today Naxos’s
“trademark”. 1986, archaeologists have discovered a 13.5 by 25 m. temple from the
mid-6th century at the site of Iria.

During the 6th century BC the tyrant Lygdamis ruled Naxos in alliance with his friend
Peisistratus of Athens, until the Spartans overthrew him in 524. A few years later,
Aristagoras, the tyrant of Miletus, sieged Naxos during 4 months, but the island was
able to repel.

End of antiquity
The destruction of Naxos by the Persians in 490 BC marked the end of independency.
First, after the Persians wars, it came under Athenian control, until the Spartans
defeated Athens in the Peloponnesian War. In the 4th century, Athens and Sparta
again fought over Naxos. After 41 BC, Naxos was part of the Roman eparchy of the
islands, with its headquarters in Rhodes.

Recent history – from 1000 AD
There are some 500 churches and monasteries, remaining from the Byzantine period.
Some have wall paintings, icons, inscriptions, etc. Centres of life are believed to have
been in Trayaia-Apano Kastro and Sangri regions.
1207, only three years after the fall of Byzantium, Marco Sanudi of Venice captured the
Cyclades and took Naxos as the headquarters for the Duchy of the Aegean. He built his
castle in Chora, on the site of the ancient acropolis. Naxos was divided in 56 estates
and fortresses were built on each estate. The estate holders were Sanudi’s officers and
are called the Dukes of Naxos. Their power continued until 1564.
That year, Naxos came under Turkish rule, but the Venetians continued to hold their
reins of power. The Ottoman Empire only collected its taxes once a year.
Very few Turks settled on Naxos.
The islanders often rose against their Venetians and Turkish rulers.
The most important were those in the 18th century. Markakis Politis fought the
conquerors constantly from 1770 until 1802, from his fortified house in Akadimi.
The mansion still remains and now belongs to the Papadakis family. The Turks
executed Politis on March 25, 1802. His son, Michalakis Markopolitis, continued his
father’s work and had an active part during the War of Independence in 1821. He
represented Naxos at the General Assemblies and became senator in 1851.
Naxos became independent on 6 May 1821.

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