#################################################### ~*The background and the text belongs to my friend KingPtolemy a great creator of works of art referred to the Greek mythology.*~ Victoria 2-Greek Outfit-Greek Hair: Daz3d Character: Mina of Stasisxxx (freestuff) Fire bowl: Serafino (dna free) Pose: Royo Style Avalontree (freestuff) ____________________________________________________ The Greek island of Delos was the most important Pan-Hellenic sanctuary, and according to mythology, the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The first signs of habitation on the island date from the 3rd millennium B.C., and important remains of the Mycenaean period have been uncovered in the area of the sanctuary. In the 7th century B.C. Delos was already a known Ionic centre because of its religious importance as the birthplace of Apollo. Delos, in ancient Greek, means clear, brought to light. The beautiful myth states that, Delos is the island of sun. The ruins of the settlement, spread about all over the island, the surviving marble columns, the theater, the gymnasium, as well as the pieces of the most important creations of mosaic art witnessed the island's glorious history. It seems that the first inhabitants were Carians and their settlements date back to the third millennium. At the beginning of the 10th century B.C., after Ionians had arrived on the island, Delos was transformed into a religious center and into the center of Ionic amphictyonia, creating thus the preconditions for its commercial development, increasing at the same time its political influence. Athenians dominated not only Delos but also the majority of Aegean islands and took control over the whole area in the middle of the 6th century B.C. The domination of Athenians over the island ended when Macedonians arrived on Delos in 315 B.C. Their presence signaled the island's independence and its commercial growth and wealth. Delos was conquered by the Romans who declared it a free port, transforming the island into a very significant trade centre. It attracted Egyptians, Syrians and Italians. During the war declared by Mithridates (88 B.C.) Delos was attacked twice and from that moment began a countdown that resulted to the island's total depopulation. In 1873 the French Archeological School began official excavations on Delos, bringing to light its glorious past, worthy of admiration all over the world. In 487 B.C, Athens, taking advantage of a Persian threat, united all the Greek cities to form the Delian or First Athenian League. The Delian League was formed in order that the Greeks might avenge the Persians for the disasters they had brought during the Median Wars. They were to maintain a common military and defence policy and for that reason all the members of the League swore that they would have common enemies and friends. Initially, approximately 140 cities participated in the League. The cities were to be autonomous, retaining their laws, and each member was to have the same number of votes so that the decisions of the League would not be influenced only by the most powerful cities. Representatives of the allies met in Delos where the treasury was kept at the temple of Apollo. At that time the Delian League was like the EU and NATO, and Delos was like Brussels and Switzerland. ####################################################