LESBOS HISTORY
Lesbos, the biggest island in the eastern Aegean sea, has had a long and rich history. The island was already inhabited in the Neolitic times and in the bronze age. The settlers on the island were the Pelasgians in 1507 BC who were followed by the Achaeans in 1393 BC and by the Aeolians around 1100 BC. In the 7th century bc Lesbos became a center for philosophy and art. In the 6th century bc famous Sappho wrote her poems. In 497 bc Lesbos was conquered by the Athenians, and became part of the Delian League. In 334 bc Lesbos falls into the hands of the Macedonians, and after the death of Alexander the Great it became part of Egypt. In 88 bc Lesbos is occupied by the Romans and after the fall of the Roman Empire, by the Saracen and the Byzantines. Bewteen 1354 and 1460 it fell into the hands of Genua, until it was occupied by the Ottomans, untill the liberation in 1912. |
Hans Huisman, www.angelfire.com/super2/greece 2009