Greek Islands May 2018

Aliki Harbour on the Island of Paros.

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.

A marble altar in the ruins of Delos is reflecting the sunlight. This is fitting as Delos is the mythical birthplace of the Greek sun god Apollo (and his sister goddess Artemis). My attribution of this particular altar as dedicated to Apollo is speculative. Why let fact get in the way of a good story?

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.

These statues are exact replicas of the originals. The originals can be seen nearby in the Delos Archaeological Museum. The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. The island is dry with poor soil and it would have been of no interest to anyone had it not been for its position as a holy sanctuary. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island has been a holy site long before that. In the Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo the Titaness Leto says: "Delos, if you would be willing to be the abode of my son Phoebus Apollo and make him a rich temple – for no other will touch you, as you will find: and I think you will never be rich in oxen and sheep, nor bear vintage nor yet produce plants abundantly. But if you have the temple of far-shooting Apollo, all men will bring you hecatombs and gather here, and incessant savour of rich sacrifice will always arise, and you will feed those who dwell in you from the hand of strangers; for truly your own soil is not rich." In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.

... from 2100 years ago. A reconstructed Hellenistic Greek mosaic depicting the god Dionysos as a winged daimon riding on a tiger, from the House of Dionysos at Delos in the Cyclades Islands, Greece. The original is dated to the late 2nd century BCE. DNG from 2018 processed (gently) in 2022 using Affinity Photo software.

A 2100 year old Hellenistic Greek mosaic floor depicting the god Dionysos as a winged daimon riding on a tiger. In the House of Dionysos at Delos in the Cyclades Islands, Greece. It is believed that this is the floor of a 'pool' which, when filled with water, cooled and freshened the breeze blowing through the house. DNG from 2018 processed (fairly aggressively) in 2022 using Affinity Photo software.

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. The island is dry with poor soil and it would have been of no interest to anyone had it not been for its position as a holy sanctuary. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In the Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo the Titaness Leto says: "Delos, if you would be willing to be the abode of my son Phoebus Apollo and make him a rich temple – for no other will touch you, as you will find: and I think you will never be rich in oxen and sheep, nor bear vintage nor yet produce plants abundantly. But if you have the temple of far-shooting Apollo, all men will bring you hecatombs and gather here, and incessant savour of rich sacrifice will always arise, and you will feed those who dwell in you from the hand of strangers; for truly your own soil is not rich." In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers - and of course tourists.