According to Greek Mythology, Delos (meaning "illustrious" according to one book and "place known to all" by another) was the birthplace of Apollo (god of the Sun and Knowledge) and Artemis (goddess of the moon, the hunt and of birth). Zeus impregnated their mother, Leto. Leto was chased by Hera, Zeus' sister and wife to the ends of the world for having an affair with her husband. Leto eventually ended up on an island that kept moving around the Aegean thus avoiding Hera's vengeance. When the time of birth came, Delos planted town in the center of the Aegean with a circle of islands around it (hence Cyclades). Leto was in labor for 9 days. Hera, the goddess of motherhood refused to help in the birthing process, as retribution for sleeping with Leto sleeping with Zeus. So Leto suffered until Artemis was born on the ninth day. Artemis (Roman Diana) was quite an accomplished infant since she then proceeded to help Leto give birth to her twin, Apollo. (Apollo was an even more accomplished infant, stealing Hermes' sheep, going to Delphi to establish his oracle and then storming Mt. Olympus demanding he and Artemis be made into gods all on his first day of life.)

  Being the birthplace of two of the twelve Olympic gods made Delos an important religious and cultural center, attracting pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean. Not only where there shrines to the Greek gods at Delos, but other, Foreign gods. Delos hit its panicle in the third century B.C. and lasted as an important center of trade until the beginning of the second century. There were 3 temples of Apollo, one to Artemis one to Dyonosis, one to Leto and even one to Posiden. This is logical since this was the principal sanctuary of both Apollo and Artemis. Dyonosis is linked to Apollo throughout mythology in theater and performance, as well as tending Delphi 2 months a year. Leto is their mother. Posiden struck me as odd when I was there however; all pilgrims had to come via the sea and therefore need to offer thanks for a safe trip. To the North of the sanctuary was the old Greek district. This included several treasuries, a lake (filled in because of malaria) and the famous Naxos Lions. These 12 (?) lions (now six) made of marble were given to the people of Delos as a gift as well as to show the power of Naxos to all of the other pilgrims. This could be considered an early form of trash talk. The original lions are not found in the museum with replicas left out to brave the elements.

  To the south of the sacred district is a more modern Roman settlement. This is better preserved, mainly because of better construction methods under the Romans. This settlement offers a look back into what houses (of rich people) were like in the second century B.C. The building style was a lot like that of Pomepii, another well preserved Roman city.

  Delos was a strong cultural center dating back to the Mycenaean period. Homer mentions the island in the Odyssey and it was considered the capital of the Amphictyony, a confederation of neighboring islands. By the 7 century B.C. it was a powerful economic, cultural and religious power. The Athenians, jealous of this power in the 5th century forbid any births or deaths on the island, thus removing the population. However, it still was a religious center, with pilgrims journeying to the now 3 temples of Apollo. However, their money was going to fund Athens. It continued as an economic center, because of its Holy status, no one dared attack it. The Delian festival was started to celebrate Apollo and Diana and it attracted pilgrims form Egypt, Syria and Phoenicia which accounts for temples dedicated to their gods. It was also the principal market of the Aegean, taxing in olives, oil, grain and slaves. By the 1st century A.D., the Romans had managed to attract bankers and merchants from Italy, Greece, Syria and Egypt; thus a new wave of building to the south began of Roman construction, many of these buildings still stand. In the first century the island was sacked and pirates began attacking the island with greater frequency so shipping routs fled the island. Being nothing more than a rock, the inhabitants again fled, leaving the ruins to us, the modern tourist.

  It is defiantly worth a trip to this island to see the ruins of the ancients. This was a major place of worship in antiquity. The island itself is a fairly barren island, with only the site, as well as a 300 ft high mountain to climb to get a great view of the surroundings.

Sources

• Ros Belford, Martin Dunford & Celia Wooolfrey"The Rough Guide:Greece" Rough Guides ltd, London England 1998
  
• Michelin Green Guide