Chios Χίος
Chios as seen from space, in June 1996
Geography
Coordinates:	38°24′N 26°01′E / 38.4, 26.017
Island Chain:	North Aegean
Area:[1]	842. 289 km² (325 sq.mi.)
Highest Mountain:	Pelineon Oros (1,297 m (4,255 ft))
Government
Greece
Periphery:	North Aegean
Prefecture:	Chios
Capital:	Chios
Statistics
Population:	51,936 (as of 2001)
Density:	62 /km² (160 /sq. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. North Aegean is one of the thirteen Peripheries of Greece. It consists of the prefectures of Chios, Lesbos and Samos. Chios ( Χίος) is the main Town on the Aegean island of Chios, in eastern Greece. mi. )
Postal Code:	82x xx
Area Code:	227x0
License Code:	ΧΙ
Website
www.chios.gr

Chios (Greek: Χίος, pronounced IPA: [ˈçio̞s]; alternative transliterations Khíos and Híos) is the fifth largest of the Greek islands, situated in the Aegean Sea seven kilometres (five miles) off the Turkish coast. Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly There are several methods for the romanization of Greek, especially depending whether the language written with Greek letters is Ancient Greek or Modern Greek and Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία The Greek Islands are a collection of over 6000 Islands and Islets that belong to Greece. Etymology In ancient times there were various explanations for the name Aegean. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches The island is noted for its strong merchant shipping community, its unique mastic gum and its medieval villages. Shipping is physical process of Transporting goods and Cargo. Mastic ( Greek:μαστίχα( Pistacia lentiscus) is an Evergreen Shrub or small Tree of the Pistacio family growing The eleventh century monastery of “Nea Moni”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located on the island. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex

Additionally, "Chios" is the name of the island's main town and administrative centre, although it is often referred to locally as Chora (Χώρα - literally meaning "The Town"). Chios ( Χίος) is the main Town on the Aegean island of Chios, in eastern Greece. Administratively, the island forms a separate prefecture (nomós- νομός) within the North Aegean Periphery. Chios Prefecture is a Greek political district which provides two representatives to the Greek parliament North Aegean is one of the thirteen Peripheries of Greece. It consists of the prefectures of Chios, Lesbos and Samos. The peripheries ( Περιφέρειες) are the official regional Administrative divisions of Greece.

While Chios is the earliest known name for the island dating back to prehistoric times, during the medieval age the island was ruled by a number of states and has been known by other names including; Scio (Genoese), Chio (Italian), Sakız (صاقيز - Ottoman Turkish). Genoese ( Zeneize) is the most important dialect of the Ligurian language, the one spoken in Genoa (the principal city of the Liguria region Italian ( or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people as a First language, primarily in Italy. Ottoman Turkish (Osmanlıca or tr ''Osmanlı Türkçesi'' Ottoman Turkish ota-Latn ''lisân-ı Osmânî'' is the variety of the Turkish language that was used as the Chios town has been called Chora (Khora), and Castro (Kastron).

Geography

Chios island is approximately crescent or kidney shaped, 50km long from north to south, 29km at its widest, and covers an area of 842 km² (325 sq. miles). The terrain is principally mountainous and arid, with a ridge of mountains running through the spine of the island. The largest of these, "Pelineon" (1297 metres or 4260 ft) and "Oros" (1188 metres or 3900 ft), are situated in the north of the island. The centre of the island is divided between east and west by a range of smaller peaks, known as "Provatas".

Chios has a current resident population of 51,936 (2001 census). It is comprised of eight of the ten municipalities in Chios Prefecture (all excepting Oinousses and Psara, which are on separate islands) and has more than 97 percent of its population. Chios Prefecture is a Greek political district which provides two representatives to the Greek parliament Oinousses (Οινούσσες alternative forms Aignoussa (Αιγνούσα or Egnoussa (Εγνούσα is a barren cluster of 9 small islands some 2km off For the Genus of crambid Moths see Psara (moth. Psara (Ψαρά is a Greek island in the A large number of Chians have moved to the major urban centres on the Greek mainland and the island has a considerable diaspora abroad, notably in London and New York. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Its international fame is based on the size and quality of its merchant shipping community. Shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks Its chief export is mastic but it also produces olives, figs, and wine. Mastic ( Greek:μαστίχα( Pistacia lentiscus) is an Evergreen Shrub or small Tree of the Pistacio family growing The Olive ( Olea europaea) is a Species of small Tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern Ficus is a Genus of about 850 Species of woody Trees Shrubs Vines Epiphytes and hemi-epiphytes in the family Wine is an Alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of Grape juice

East Coast

Midway up the east coast lies the main population centres, the main town of Chios and the regions of Vrontados and Kambos. Chios Town, with a population of 32,400, is built around the island's main harbour and medieval castle. The current castle, with a perimeter of 1400 m, was principally constructed during the time of Venetian and Ottoman rule; although remains have been found dating settlements there back to 2000 B. C. The town was substantially damaged by an earthquake in 1881 and only partially retains its original character.

North of Chios Town lies the large suburb of Vrontados (population 4,500), which lays claim as the birthplace of Homer. Vrontados (Βροντάδος is a small coastal town located at the eastern part of the island of Chios in Greece. Homer ( Ancient Greek:, Homēros) is a legendary ancient Greek epic Poet, traditionally said to be the author of the epic poems the The suburb lies in the Omiroupoli municipality, and its connection to the poet is supported by an archaeological site known traditionally as "Teacher's Rock" (Δασκαλóπετρα). Omiroupoli or Homiroupoli (Greek Modern Ομηρούπολη Ancient Katharevousa -is older form Omiroupolis is a municipality of 7335 people

Directly south of Chios Town lies the island's airport and the region of Kambos (Κάμπος, "plain"), a large fertile plain noted for its stone mansions and walled orchards. At the southern edge of the Kambos plain lies the town of Thymiana (Θυμιανά). Thymiana is noted as the sole source of a beige-burgundy two-tone sandstone used both in the local mansions and much of the town itself. Sandstone is a Sedimentary rock composed mainly of Sand -size Mineral or rock grains. Inland lie a number of villages rising up into the central mountains culminating with the village of Ayios Georgios Sykoussis perched at the peak dividing east from west. Along the coast lies Karfas (Καρφάς), a large sandy beach, which along with the nearby village of Ayia Ermioni (Άγια Ερμιόνη) is now the main tourist centre with a number of large and small hotels.

Southern Region

The south of the island is noted for the "Mastichochória" (Μαστιχοχώρια, literally: Mastic Villages), the six villages of Mesta (Μεστά), Pyrgi (Πυργί) und Olυmpi (Ολύμποι), Kalamoti (Καλαμωτń), Vessa (Βέσσα), and Elata (Ελάτα), which together have controlled the production of mastic gum in the area since the Roman period. Elata is a Greek village on the island of Chios. The village is situated on hilly terrain and has a population of several hundred Mastic ( Greek:μαστίχα( Pistacia lentiscus) is an Evergreen Shrub or small Tree of the Pistacio family growing The villages, built between the 14th and 16th centuries, have a carefully designed layout with fortified gates and narrow streets to protect against the frequent raids by marauding pirates. Between Chios Town and the Mastichoria lie a large number of historic villages including Armolia (Αρμολια), Myrmighi (Μυρμňγκι), and Kalimassia (Καλλιμασιά). Along the east coast are the fishing villages of Kataraktis (Καταρράκτης) and to the south Nenita (Νένητα).

The south coast is sparsely populated with only two populated areas; the modern bay of Komi and the ancient village of "Emporio", inhabited since 1800 BC, and the site of a the black volcanic beach of "Mavra Volia" believed to have been created by the explosion of Santorini island in 1600 BC. The Minoan eruption of Thera, also referred to as the Thera eruption or Santorini eruption was a major catastrophic volcanic eruption ( VEI

West Coast

The west coast, between the deep natural harbour of Limenas at the south and the town of Vrontados at the north, forms a crescent shaped series of almost uninhabited rocky bays. The nearest population centres being the two hillside villages of Lithi and Sidirounta, while further inland lie the villages of Elata, Vessa, Avgonyma and the deserted village of Anavatos. On the west coast there still stands a system of stone beacons that were built at regular intervals to signal the approach of ships and warning the islanders against invasions by pirates.

Northern Region

The north of the island contains two major villages: Volissos on the west coast, and Kardamyla on the east. Volissos (Greek Βολισσός is a small town in the northwest of Chios, Aegean Islands, Greece. Kardamyla (Καρδάμυλα is a municipality in the Island and Prefecture of Chios, Greece. Further to the north, are three villages where cherries are grown - Amades, Viki and Kambia. In June Kambia holds an annual Cherry Festival - "Yiortí ton Kerrasión. " Kambia holds several festivals during the summer months. Also located in the northern region is the island's tallest mountain, Mount Pelineon, at 1,297 metres (4,255 ft).

Spartounda and Fyta are a few miles before Kambia. In the village of Fyta stands a watchtower dating back to the late 16th century, the time of the Genoese occupation.

The village of Kourounia lies 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Volissos in the northwestern part of the island. Next to Kourounia is the village of Egrigoros.

Interior

Directly in the centre of the island, between the villages of Avgonyma to the west and Karyes to the east, lies the 11th century monastery of Nea Moni, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nea Moni (Νέα Μονή lit "New Monastery" is an 11th century monastery on the island of Chios that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex The monastery was lavishly built with funds gifted by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX, after three monks, living in caves nearby, had petitioned him while he was in exile on the island of Mytilene. Constantine IX Monomachos ( Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Θ΄ Μονομάχος Kōnstantinos IX Monomakhos) c The monastery had substantial estates attached, with a thriving community until the massacre in 1822. The Chios Massacre refers to the slaughter of tens of thousands of Greeks on the island of Chios by Ottoman troops in 1822 It was further damaged during the 1881 earthquake. ^[2] In 1952, due to the shortage of monks, Nea Moni was converted to a convent. It is said that when the last nun living in Nea Moni dies, the convent will once again be transformed into a monastery.

Further south is the verdant region of Kambochoria. This is a collection of medieval villages (Halkios, Vavili, Vassileoniko, Ververato, Dafnonas, and Zifias) with a combined population of about 3,000 and an agricultural economy. In this region grows four varieties of wild tulips.

West of the Kambochoria on the central ridge of the island lies the 16th century village of Agios Geórgios Sikousis. The village is situated 400 m above sea level, strategically overlooks both sides of the island, and was previously fortified with both wall and tower.

Climate

The island's climate is warm and moderate, categorised as Temperate, Mediterranean(Csa), with modest variation due to the stabilising effect of the surrounding sea. A Mediterranean climate is one that resembles the Climate of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, which includes over half of the area with this climate type world-wide Average temperatures normally range from a summer high of 27° to a winter low of 11° in January, although, temperatures of over 40°C or below freezing can sometimes be encountered.

Rainfall while usually plentiful, varies greatly both throughout the year and between years. Rain is rare during the summer months, but the winters are changeable and wet. Sunshine is plentiful, as is typical of the Eastern Mediterranean, with almost no cloud cover in the summer months. Average humidity varies from 75% in winter to 60% in summer. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air In daily language the term "humidity" is normally taken to mean Relative humidity.

The island normally experiences steady breezes (average 3-5 m/s) throughout the year, with winds direction predominantly northerly ('Etesian' Wind - locally called the 'Meltemi') or south westerly (Sirocco). The etesians ( Ancient Greek ετησίαι 'annual (winds' sometimes found in the Latin form etesiae) meltemi μελτέμι ( Greek

History

16th century map of Chios.

Pre-historic Period

Archaeological research on Chios has found evidence that the island has been inhabited since at least the Neolithic era. The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos The primary sites of research for this period, have been cave dwellings at Hagios Galas, in the north, and a settlement and accompanying necropolis in modern-day Emporeio at the far south of the island. A necropolis (plural necropoleis or necropoles) is a large Cemetery or burial place (from Greek nekropolis "city of the dead" The lack of information on this period however, cannot be overstated and theories on the size and duration of these settlements have not been well established.

The British School of Athens excavated the Emporeio site from 1952-1955 and most of our current information comes from these digs. ^[3] The Greek Archaeological Service (G. A. S. ) has been excavating periodically on Chios since 1970, though much of their work on the island remains unpublished.

The noticeable uniformity in the size of houses at Emporeio is what primarily drives scholar's theory that there may have been no serious social distinction during the Neolithic on the island, the inhabitants instead all benefiting from agricultural and livestock farming. In Anthropology, an acephalous society (from the Greek for "headless" is a society which lacks political leaders or hierarchies ^[4]

It is also widely held by scholars that the island was not occupied by humans during the Middle Bronze Age (2300 - 1600), though researchers have suggested recently that the lack of evidence that exists during this period may only demonstrate the lack of excavations on Chios and the northern Aegean. The term Bronze Age refers to a period in human cultural development when the most advanced Metalworking (at least in systematic and widespread use included techniques for Etymology In ancient times there were various explanations for the name Aegean. ^[5]

By at least the eleventh century BC the island was ruled by a kingdom/chiefdom, and the subsequent transition to aristocratic (or possibly tyrannic) rule occurred sometime over the next four centuries. Future excavations may reveal more information about this period. ^[6]

Early Hellenic Period

Pherecydes, native to the Aegean, wrote that the island was occupied by the Leleges,^[7] aboriginal Greeks themselves reported to be subject to the Minoans on Crete. Pherecydes of Leros (c 450s BC was a Greek mythographer and logographer. The Leleges were one of the aboriginal peoples of southwest Anatolia (compare " Pelasgians quot who were already there when the Indo-European Hellenes The Minoan civilization was a Bronze Age civilization which arose on the island of Crete. Crete ( Greek: Κρήτη transliteration: Krētē, modern transliteration Kriti) is the largest of the Greek islands and the ^[8] They were eventually driven out by invading Ionians. The Ionians ( Greek:, Iōnes singular) were one of the three populations into which the Ancient Greeks considered the population of Hellenes to have been

Chios was one of the original twelve member states of the Ionian League. The Ionian League ( Ancient Greek, Iōnes, koinon Iōnōn, koinē sunodos Iōnōn Latin commune consilium; also called As a result, Chios, at the end of the 7th century BC, was one of the first cities to strike or mint coins, establishing the sphinx as its specific symbol. A tradition it maintained for almost 900 years.

By the fifth to fourth centuries BC, the island had grown to an estimated population of over 120,000 (two to three times the estimated population in 2005), and based on the huge necropoli at the main city of Chios, the asty, it is thought the majority lived in that area. ^[9]

Hellenistic Period

In the decades immediately preceding Macedonia's domination of the Greek city states, Chios was home to a school of rhetoric which Isocrates had opened,^[10] as well as a faction aligned with Sparta. Macedon or Macedonia ( Greek grc Μακεδονία grc-Latn Makedonía) was the name of a kingdom centered in the northern-most Isocrates ( Greek: Ἰσοκράτης 436–338 BC an Ancient Greek rhetorician, was one of the ten Attic orators. The city of Sparta ( Doric Σπάρτα Attic Σπάρτη After the Battle of Leuctra, supporters of the Lacedaemonians were exiled. The Battle of Leuctra (or Leuktra was a battle fought between the Thebans and the Spartans and their respective allies amidst the post- Corinthian War conflict For the Laconian dialect see Doric Greek For the Ancient Kingdom see Sparta For the laconic expression see Laconic Among the exiled were Damasistratus and his son Theopompus, who had received instruction from the school and went on to study with Isocrates in Athens before becoming a historian. Theopompus, a Greek Historian and Rhetorician was born on Chios about 380 BC.

Reproduction of Chios Sphinx emblem.

Theopompus moved back to Chios with the other exiles in 333 BC after Alexander had invaded Asia Minor and decreed their return,^[11] as well as the exile or trial of Persian supporters on the island. Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' Anatolia (Anadolu Ανατολία Anatolía) or Asia minor, comprising most of modern Turkey, is the geographic region bounded by the Black The Achaemenid Empire or Achaemenid Persian Empire ( haχɒmaneʃijɒn (558–330 BC was the first of the Persian Empires to rule over significant portions of Theopompus was exiled again sometime after Alexander's death and took refuge in Egypt. ^[12]

During this period, the island also had become the largest exporter of Greek wine, which was noted for being of relative high quality (see Chian wine). Chian wine is wine from the Greek island of Chios. It was among the most prized wines of Classical antiquity, and according to Theopompus and Chian amphoras, with a characteristic sphinx emblem and bunches of grape have been found in nearly every country that the ancient Greeks traded with from as far away as Gaul, Upper Egypt and Eastern Russia. An amphora (plural amphorae or amphoras) is a type of Ceramic Vase with two handles and a long neck narrower than the body Gaul (Gallia was the Roman name for the region of Western Europe comprising present day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Upper Egypt (صعيد مصر Sa'id Misr) is a narrow strip of land that extends from the cataract boundaries of modern-day Aswan to the area between Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending ^[13]

Roman Period

During the Third Macedonian War, thirty-five vessels allied to Rome, carrying about 1,000 Galatian troops, as well as a number of horses, were sent by Eumenes II to his brother Attalus. The Third Macedonian War ( 171 BC - 168 BC) was a war fought between Rome and King Perseus of Macedon. Ancient Galatia was an area in the highlands of central Anatolia in modern Turkey. Eumenes II of Pergamon (Εὐμένης Α' τῆς Περγάμου (ruled 197 - 159 BC was king of Pergamon and a member of the Attalid dynasty. Attalus II Philadelphus (in Greek Attalos II Philadelphos Ἄτταλος Β' ὁ Φιλάδελφος) (220 BC&ndash138 BC was a King of Pergamon

Leaving from Elaea, they were headed to Phanae, planning to disembark from there to Macedonia. However, Perseus's naval commander Antenor intercepted the fleet between Erythrae (on the Western coast of Turkey) and Chios. Perseus ( Greek Περσεύς) (ca 212 BC - 166 BC) was the last king ( Basileus) of the Antigonid dynasty Erythrae or Erythrai (Ἐρυθραί later Litri, was one of the twelve Ionian cities of Asia Minor, situated 22 km north-east of

According to Livy,^[14] they were caught completely off-guard by Antenor. Titus Livius (traditionally 59 BC &ndash AD 17 known as Livy in English, was a Roman historian who wrote a monumental history of Rome Eumenes' officers at first thought the intercepting fleet were friendly Romans, but scattered upon realizing they were facing an attack by their Macedonian enemy, some choosing to abandon ship and swim to Erythrae. Others, crashing their ships into land on Chios, fled toward the city.

The Chians however closed their gates, startled at the calamity. And the Macedonians, who had docked closer to the city anyway, cut the rest of the fleet off outside the city gates, and on the road leading to the city. Of the 1,000 men, 800 were killed, 200 taken prisoner.

Middle Ages

The fine oil painting of the Chios Massacre by Eugène Delacroix. The Chios Massacre refers to the slaughter of tens of thousands of Greeks on the island of Chios by Ottoman troops in 1822 Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix (26 April 1798 &ndash 13 August 1863 was a French Romantic artist regarded from the outset of his career as the leader of The costumes and the scenery are entirely authentic. This and the works of Lord Byron did much to draw the attention of mainland Europe to the catastrophe that had taken place on Chios (1824, oil on canvas, 419 x 354 cm, Musée du Louvre, Paris. The Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre located in Paris is the world's most visited art museum a historic monument and a national museum of France Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city

After the permanent division of the Roman Empire in 395 AD, Chios was for six centuries under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial This came to an end when the island was briefly held (1090-97) by Çaka Bey, a Turkish emir in the region is Smyrna during the first expansion of the Turks to the Aegean coast. However the Turks were driven back from the Aegean coast by the First Crusade, and the island reverted to Byzantine rule. The First Crusade was launched in 1095 by Pope Urban II with the dual goals of conquering the sacred city of Jerusalem and the Holy Land and freeing

This relative stability was ended by the sacking of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade (1204) and during the turmoil of the 13th century the island ownership was constantly affected by the regional power struggles. The Fourth Crusade (1202&ndash1204 was originally designed to conquer Muslim Jerusalem by means of an invasion through Egypt.

After the Fourth Crusade, the Byzantine empire was divided up by the Latin emperors of Constantinople, with Chios nominally becoming a possession of the Republic of Venice. The Latin Empire or Latin Empire of Constantinople (original Latin name Imperium Romaniae, " Empire of Romania " is the The Most Serene Republic of Venice ((Serenìsima Repùblica Vèneta or Repùblica de Venesia Serenissima Repubblica However, defeats for the Latin empire resulted in the island reverting to Byzantine rule in 1225. The Byzantine rulers had little influence and through the treaty of Nymphaeum, authority was ceded to the Genoa (1261). ^[15] At this time the island was frequently attacked by pirates and by (1302-1303) was a target for the renewed Turkish fleets. To prevent Turkish expansion, the island was reconquered and kept as a renewable concession, at the behest of the Byzantine emperor Andronicus II, by the Genovese Benedetto I Zaccaria (1304), then admiral to Philip of France. Benedetto I Zaccaria (c1235–1307 Genoese Admiral, was the Lord of Phocaea (from 1288 and first Lord of Chios (from 1304 the founder of Zaccaria installed himself as ruler of the island, in the short-lived Lordship of Chios. The Lordship of Chios was founded in 1304, when Benedetto I Zaccaria conquered the Greek island of Chios and received it as a fief from the His rule was benign and effective rule remained in the hands of the local Greek landowners. Beneto Zacharia was followed by his nephew (Benedetto II) and then son (Martino). Benedetto II Zaccaria (1235–1314 known as Paleologo, was the Lord of Chios and Phocaea, as well as other Aegean islands from 1307 Martino Zaccaria (died 15 January 1345) was the lord of Phocea and Chios from 1314 to 1330 They attempted to turn the island towards the Latin and Papal powers, and away from the predominant Byzantine influence. The locals, still loyal to the Byzantine Empire, responded to a letter from the emperor and, despite a standing army of a thousand infantrymen, a hundred cavalrymen and two galleys, expelled the Zacharia family from the island (1329) and dissolved the fiefdom. ^[16]

Local rule was brief. In 1346, a Chartered company or Maona (the ‘Maona di Chio e di Focea’) was set up in Genoa to reconquer and exploit Chios and the neighbouring town of Phocaea in Asia Minor. A maona (from the Arabic Maounach) or Societas comperarum was a medieval Italian association of Investors formed to manage the purchased The Maona di Chio e di Focea (1346–1566 was a Maona formed to exact taxes for Genoa upon the then-unconquered island of Chios and port of Phocaea Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English This article is about the ancient city For the modern city see Foça Phocaea, or Phokaia, (Φώκαια (modern-day Foça Although the islanders firmly rejected an initial offer of protection, the island was invaded by a Genoese Fleet, lead by Simone Vignoso, and the castle besieged. Again rule was transferred peacefully, as on 12 September the castle was surrendered and a treaty signed with no loss of privileges to the local landowners as long as the new authority was accepted.

The Genoese, being interested in profit rather than conquest, controlled the trade-posts and warehouses, in particular the trade of mastic, alum, salt and pitch. Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English Mastic ( Greek:μαστίχα( Pistacia lentiscus) is an Evergreen Shrub or small Tree of the Pistacio family growing Other trades such as grain, wine oil and cloth and most professions were run jointly with the locals. After a failed uprising in 1347, and being heavily outnumbered (less that 10% of the population in 1395), the Latins maintained light control over the local population, remaining largely in the town and allowing full religious freedom. In this way the island remained under Genoese control for two centuries.

By the middle of the 15th century, Asia Minor and the surrounding islands had fallen under Ottoman rule, however the Genoese families managed to maintain control over the island through the payment of a tribute to the Sultan. By the 16th century, as Genoese power waned, trade with Genoa had decreased and the local rulers become assimilated into the local population. This largely independent rule continued until 1566, when, with tensions rising, the Sultan decided that the island could potentially be used as a base for Western attacks on Constantinople. The island was invaded by Ottoman troops and absorbed without a battle into the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish

As well as the Latin and Turkish influx, documents record a small Jewish population from at least 1049 AD. ^[17] The original Greek (Romaniote) Jews, thought to have been brought over by the Romans, were later joined by Sephardic Jews welcomed by the Ottomans during the Iberian expulsions of the 15th century. The Romaniotes ( Greek: Ρωμανιώτες, Rōmaniōtes are a Jewish population who have lived in the territory of today's Greece and

During the Ottoman rule, the government and tax gathering again remained in the hands of Greeks and the Turkish garrison was small and inconspicuous. The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish ^[18] Chios town itself however, was ethnically segregated, with the castle (Kastro) barred to the native Greeks and inhabited by Turkish and Jews.

The mainstay of the island's wealth was the mastic crop. Chios was able to make a substantial contribution to the imperial treasury while at the same time maintaining only a light level of taxation. The Ottoman government regarded it as one of the most valuable provinces of the Empire. ^[19]

Modern Period

Nikiphoros Lytras, "The blowing up of the Nasuh Ali Pasha's flagship by Kanaris", 143x109 cm. Nikiphoros Lytras (1832-1904 was a nineteenth century Greek painter born in Tinos, and trained in Athens at the School of Arts Averoff Gallery

When the Greek War of Independence broke out, the island's leaders were reluctant to join the revolutionaries, fearing the loss of their security and prosperity. The Greek War of Independence (1821–1829 also commonly known as the Greek Revolution (Ελληνική Επανάσταση Elliniki Epanastasi; Ottoman However, in March 1822, several hundred armed Greeks from the neighbouring island of Samos landed in Chios. Samos (Σάμος is a Greek island in the North Aegean Sea, south of Chios, north of Patmos and the Dodecanese, and off They proclaimed the Revolution and launched attacks against the Turks, at which point islanders decided to join the struggle.

In revenge, the Sultan ordered a massacre of the islanders. The Chios Massacre refers to the slaughter of tens of thousands of Greeks on the island of Chios by Ottoman troops in 1822 The Ottoman massacre of Chios expelled, or killed, or enslaved 5/6 of the 120,000 Greek inhabitants of the island. The Chios Massacre refers to the slaughter of tens of thousands of Greeks on the island of Chios by Ottoman troops in 1822 ^[20] Wiping out whole villages and affecting the valuable Mastichohoria, the mastic growing villages in the south of the island. It triggered negative public reaction in Western Europe, as can be seen in the art of Delacroix, and in the writing of Lord Byron and Victor Hugo. Victor-Marie Hugo ( ( February 26, 1802 – May 22, 1885) was a French Poet, Playwright, Novelist

Further misfortune struck the island in 1881, when an earthquake, estimated as 6. 5 on the Richter scale, damaged a large portion of the island's buildings and resulted in great loss of life (reports of the time spoke of 5,500 - 10,000 fatalities).

Chios rejoined the rest of independent Greece after the First Balkan War (1912), however it was further affected by the population exchanges after the Greco–Turkish War of 1919–1922, the incoming Greek refugees settling in the, previously Turkish, Kastro and in new settlements hurriedly built south of Chios Town. The First Balkan War, which lasted from October 1912 to May 1913 pitted the Balkan League ( Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, and Bulgaria

Chios was officially annexed from Turkey by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. The Treaty of Lausanne ( July 24, 1923) was a Peace treaty signed in Lausanne that settled the Anatolian part of the Partitioning

During World War II, the island was occupied by the Germans (1941-44), resulting in severe deprivation for the inhabitants and the deportation of the few remaining Jewish families. Most of the Jews had fled the island during the Turkish attack of 1822, and subsequent earthquake 1881. In 1944, there were no Jews living in Chios.

Landmarks

Detail of mosaic from Nea Moni, a World Heritage Site. Art History Mosaics of the 4th century BC are found in the Macedonian palace-city of Aegae, and they enriched the floors of Hellenistic

• Nea Moni is a monastery with fine mosaics from Constantine IX's reign and a World Heritage Site. Nea Moni (Νέα Μονή lit "New Monastery" is an 11th century monastery on the island of Chios that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Art History Mosaics of the 4th century BC are found in the Macedonian palace-city of Aegae, and they enriched the floors of Hellenistic Constantine IX Monomachos ( Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Θ΄ Μονομάχος Kōnstantinos IX Monomakhos) c A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex [4]
• Chios' satellite islands include Oinoussais and Psara, from where Kanaris fired the first shots in the Greek War of Independence (1822 onwards). Oinousses (Οινούσσες alternative forms Aignoussa (Αιγνούσα or Egnoussa (Εγνούσα is a barren cluster of 9 small islands some 2km off For the Genus of crambid Moths see Psara (moth. Psara (Ψαρά is a Greek island in the Constantine Kanaris ( or Canaris, Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Κανάρης) (1793 or 1795September 14 1877 was a Greek admiral freedom The Greek War of Independence (1821–1829 also commonly known as the Greek Revolution (Ελληνική Επανάσταση Elliniki Epanastasi; Ottoman
• The Korai Library, in Chios, is one of the most important in Greece, containing 95,000 volumes.
• Chios Museum of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art, m/e212cm01.html Website
• Chios Archaeological Museum, m/e211tm02.html Website
• The town of Vrontados is home to a unique Easter celebration, where competing teams of locals gather at the town's two (rival) churches to fire tens of thousands of homemade rockets at the other church's bell tower while the Easter service is going on inside the churches, in what has become known as rouketopolemos ("the Easter church war"). Chios Museum of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art is a Museum in Chios, Greece. Chios Archaeological Museum is a Museum in Chios, Greece. Rouketopolemos (Greek Рουκετοπόλεμος, literally Rocket-War) is the name of a local traditional event held annually at Easter

Town twins

Chios has been twinned with the city of Genoa, Italy since 1985. Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest ^[21]

Notable Natives and Inhabitants

• Chios claims to be the birthplace of Homer the poet, and the ancient mathematicians Hippocrates and Oenopides. Homer ( Ancient Greek:, Homēros) is a legendary ancient Greek epic Poet, traditionally said to be the author of the epic poems the Hippocrates of Chios was an ancient Greek mathematician ( Geometer) and astronomer who lived c Oenopides is also the name of a lunar crater Oenopides of Chios was an ancient Greek mathematician ( Geometer) and astronomer Oenopion, a legendary king, is said to have brought winemaking to the island. In Greek mythology, Oenopion ( Ancient Greek: grc Οἰνοπίων English translation: "wine drinker" "wine-faced" son of
• Archermus (6th century BC) sculptor
• Athenis (6th century BC) sculptor
• Bupalus (6th century BC) sculptor
• Ion of Chios (c. Archermus was a sculptor of Chios working in the middle of the 6th century BC. For the Geometer moth Genus, see Bupalus (moth. Bupalus and For the Geometer moth Genus, see Bupalus (moth. Bupalus and Ion of Chios was a 5th Century BCE (c 490/480 - c 420 BC versatile writer dramatist lyric poet and philosopher in Ancient Greece. 490-c. 420 BC) learned writer of prose and poetry, historian and philosopher.
• Theopompus of Chios (378-ca. Theopompus, a Greek Historian and Rhetorician was born on Chios about 380 BC. 320) rhetorical historian,^[22]
• Erasistratus of Chios (304-250 BC) pioneering anatomist, royal physician and founder of the ancient medical school of Alexandria, who discovered the linking between organs through the systems of veins, arteries and nerves. Erasistratus of Chios (304 BC- 250 BC was a Greek anatomist and royal physician under Seleucus I Nicator of Syria ^[23].
• Saint Markella, the patron saint of Chios (celebrated on the 22nd of July). Saint Markella was an inhabitant of Chios Greece who was canonized by the Greek Orthodox Church. The patron saint of a particular group of people is a Saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members ^[24]
• Some claim Chios is Christopher Columbus's birthplace. Christopher Columbus (1451 &ndash May 20 1506 was an Italian Navigator, colonizer ^[25] Columbus himself said he was from the Republic of Genoa, which included the island of Chios at the time. The Most Serene Republic of Genoa (Repubblica di Genova was an independent state in Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast from the 11th century Columbus was friendly with a number of Chian Genoese families, referenced Chios in his writings and used the Greek language for some of his notes. ^[26] 'Columbus' remains a common surname on Chios. Other common Greek spellings are: Kouloumbis and Couloumbis.
• Andrea Bianco, famous 15th century Genoese cartographer resided on Chios. Andrea Bianco was an Italian sailor and cartographer of the 15th century
• Ralli Brothers founders of major 19th century trading concern. The five Ralli Brothers, Zannis aka John (1785 &ndash 1859 Augustus (1792 &ndash 1878 Pandia a
• Andreas Papandreou (1919-1996) politician, Prime Minister of Greece
• Mikis Theodorakis (1925) composer
• Takis Fotopoulos (1940) political writer
• Giorgos Dilvois, Nikos Gialouris, and Matheos Moundes, 20th century poets were born in Chios. Andreas Georgiou Papandreou (Ανδρέας Γ Παπανδρέου ( 5 February, 1919 23 June, 1996) was a Greek economist Mikis Theodorakis (Μίκης Θεοδωράκης (b July 29 1925, Greek island of Chios) is one of the most popular Greek composers Takis Fotopoulos (Τάκης Φωτόπουλος born, is a Greek-Londoner political philosopher economist editor of Democracy & Nature and The International Journal
• Dimitris Varos (1949) author, poet, journalist
• Axia Andreadaki (1985) fashion model
• Patriarch Constantine V of Constantinople (1856)
• İbrahim Ethem Pasha 19th century Ottoman grand vizier was born on Chios, who also had notable descendants (carrying the surname "Eldem" to this day), including painter Osman Hamdi Bey. Dimitris Varos ( gr Δημήτρης Βάρος) was born 1949 on the island of Chios. Axia Andreadaki, (Άξια Ανδρεαδάκη is a top fashion model in Greece. Constantine V was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 1897 to 1901 İbrahim Edhem Pasha was an Ottoman statesman who held the office of Grand Vizier in the beginning of Abdulhamid II 's reign between 5 February The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish Osman Hamdi Bey, (1842 İstanbul - 24 February 1910 İstanbul was a prominent and pioneering Turkish painter
• Namık Kemal, one of the principal founders of modern Turkish literature, served as a sub-prefect (exiled in practical terms) of Chios from 1886 to his death on the island in 1888. Namık Kemal, born as Mehmed Kemal ( December 21 1840 - December 2 1888) was a Turkish Nationalist Poet
• Leo Allatius (Leone Allacci), (c. Leo Allatius ( Leone Allacci) (c 1586 - January 19, 1669) was an energetic Greek Catholic scholar and Theologian. 1586-1669) Greek Catholic scholar and theologian.
• Dr. Stamatios M. (Tom) Krimigis, Head Emeritus of the Space Department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory since 1991. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL located in Laurel Maryland, is a not-for-profit university-affiliated research center employing (Asteroid '8323 Krimigis' has been named in his honour)
• Chios is home to a Greek ship-owning fraternity, including the families of Livanos, Chandris, Los, Lemos, Margaronis, Pachos, Pateras, Fafalios, Frangos, Pittas, Caroussis and Xylas hailing from the island. Shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks Georges P Livanos (1926 &ndash 1 June 1997) was born in 1926 in New Orleans. John D Chandris (1890–1942 was a Greek shipping magnate Chandris was born in Chios, then part of the Ottoman Empire. About 60 families became international grain merchants as a result of the 19th century diaspora, settling in Smyrna, Amsterdam, Trieste, and moved into shipping when their markets closed after World War I. The Greek diaspora (ελληνική διασπορά elliniki diaspora) is a term used to refer to the communities of Greek people living outside of the traditional World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All
• Patricia Field, noted designer and stylist for the American television series Sex and the City. Patricia Field is an American Academy Award -nominated Costume designer, Stylist and Fashion designer. Sex and the City was an American Cable television program The original run of the show was broadcast on HBO from 1998 until 2004 for a

See also

• Greek cuisine
• Greek food products
• List of traditional Greek place names

References

External links

• Official Chios website : operated by Chios Prefecture (including tourist guide)
• Chios on wikitravel : (All travel related links should go there)
• A dated but informative article of New York Times on Chios.
• Map & history, The massacre, The Diaspora from Christopher Long (1998).
• Les Familles de Chios, Histoire, Genealogies par F. Bernard Bries 1999.
• [5] : Offers more information on the history of Chios