Birthplace of Apollo and Artemis - Delos 530
What and Why
Delos (Greek: Δήλος), in spite of its current size, barrenness and lack of water, was surprisingly a major political focal point during the classical antiquity period. The island was a major commercial and trading centre from the 2nd century BCE till the 1st century CE, due to the belief in Greek mythology that the island was the birthplace of the twins Apollo (Ἀπόλλων, Apollōn), god of the sun, music and dance, truth, and a few more things; and Artemis (Ἄρτεμις), goddess of the moon, hunt, wilderness, wild animals, and chastity. Mythical legend has it that their mother Leto (Λητώ), god of motherhood conceived Apollo and Artemis with Zeus (Ζεύς), after her beauty caught Zeus's eyes. Hera (Ἥρᾱ), Zeus's wife, hence got jealous and caused all lands to shun her. Leto eventually found an island that was not attached to the ocean floor, hence not considered land and gave birth to the twins in the sanctuary. As a result, the island took shape in the form of a cult religious centre all the way back from regime of Ionia (Ἰωνία), and prospered after the 8th century CE.
The island took an even more signifcant status during the Greco-Persian Wars (Περσικοί Πόλεμοι, Persikoí Pólemoi), when the city becomes the focal point of the Delian League (Συμμαχία της Δήλου, Summakhía tys Délou), which was formed to unite all Greek city-states against the attack from the Achaemenid Empire (Old Persian: 𐏃𐎧𐎠𐎶𐎴𐎡𐏁, Haxāmaniš). In fact the league's name derives from its official meeting place in Delos, where congresses amongst the states were held in the temple.
The city's prosperity lasted until the 1st century CE when it started to wane as a result of wars with the Roman Republic (Latin: Roma) and change of trade routes. Today what is left is one of the richest and most extensive mythological, historical, and archaeological sites around the Mediterranean, providing important traces of the history of ancient Greece.
Toponymy
'Delos' is attributed to derive from Proto-Indo-European '*dyew-' meaning 'heaven'. It has also been attributed that 'Δήλος (delos)' means 'appearance' in ancient Greek, as the land appears to Leto in the sea.
See
We follow the path as we disembark from the ferry at the pier, following the plan below.
The above plan can be reflected with the artist impression of what used to be ancient Delos. This plan gives an idea what sort of prosperity Delos achieved and contrasts the current state.
Sanctuary of Apollo (Λερό του Απόλλωνα)
The Sanctuary of Apollo (Λερό του Απόλλωνα, Leró tou Apóllona) was the main commercial and congregation centre of Delos. The most famous landmark is the Temples of Apollo (Ναοί του Απόλλωνα, Naoí tou Apóllona) which is the largest of the three cult temples dedicated to Apollo and was built during the Delian League period. The temple is famous for its Doric columns and portico.
The Sacred Way (Λερός Οδός, Lerós Odós) is a paved boulevard in front of the harbour connecting the main centre to the Lion District (Συνοικία Λιοντάρι, Synoikía Liontári).
Lion District (Συνοικία Λιοντάρι)
The Terrace of the Lions (Βεράντα των Λιονταριών, Veránta ton Liontarión) was dedicated to Apollo by the people of Naxos (Νάξος) before 600 BCE and remains as the landmark of Delos. There were originally 16 of them and now only seven is left, with the other three in the museum. The lions create a monumental avenue next to the Agora of the Italians (Αγορά των Ιταλών, Agorá ton Italón).
One of the most important artefacts of Delos is the Sacred Lake (Ιερή Λίμνη, Ierí Límni) is a big circular bowl used to provide water supply. Now it is purposefully left dry to prevent spreading of disease.
An interesting part of the the area is the Temple of Dionysus (Ναός του Διονύσου, Naós tou Dionýsou) where there are pillars supporting a colossal phallus, the symbol of Dionysus (Διόνυσος). The phallic symbol is accompanied by two other statues, to represent the other actors.
Maritime Quarter (Ναυτική Συνοικία)
At the corner near the harbour stands the Agora of the Competaliasts (Αγορά των Ανταγωνιστών, Agorá ton Antagonistón), which is the main marketplace of Delos. The potholes are the containers used to store food.
The House of Dionysus (Οικία του Διονύσου, Oikía tou Dionýsou) is a luxurious private house celebrated for the floor mosaic of Dionysus riding a panther, as above. Next to it is two headless Greek-style sculpture in the House of Cleopatra (Σπίτι της Κλεοπάτρας, Spíti tis Kleopátras) of Cleopatra (Κλεοπάτρα, Kleopátra) fame.
Theatre Quarter (Συνοικία Θεάτρου)
The theatre is a classical Greek amphitheatre, one of the main photogenic spots of the ruins. The theatre was supposed to seat 5,000 spectators.
Overseeing the amphitheatre stands the Temple of Hera (Ναός της Ήρας, Naós tis Íras) where there is a well-preserved religious altar.
Museum (Μουσείο)
The museum houses all the main artefacts of Delos, including the few lions and the mosaics found in the ruins.
Marvellous mosaics...
Sculptures...
and the real lion sculptures...
Some very elaborate mosaics and sculptures...
More Greek sculptures.
There are other sites according to the map. However some of these sites are so ruined that they cannot be properly identified. After all the place is more than 2,200 years old under the non-stop Mediterranean sun. It is however fun to close your eyes and re-imagine how the once centre of the western civilisation was like.
Buy and Do
Incredibly there is no souvenir shops in Delos. Perhaps they are mindful that the visitors' wallet is already empty after shopping in Mykonos (Μύκονος), from where they all arrive.
Stay
We stayed in the legendary white little house hotel in Manolia View in the island of Mykonos. Overnight stay on Delos is forbidden as it is an archaeological site.
Getting There and Around
The only way to reach Delos is by ferry from Mykonos, the windy ferry journey takes around 30 minutes. On arrival at Delos, one is free to walk around the island and everyone must leave the island with the last ferry, which is 3 pm. The island is not that big to walk around, however the sun is scorching.
Delos forms a very good day-trip from the artificiality of Mykonos. The entrance fee plus the ferry ride is EUR 20€.
UNESCO Inscription
According to Greek mythology, Apollo was born on this tiny island in the Cyclades archipelago. Apollo's sanctuary attracted pilgrims from all over Greece and Delos was a prosperous trading port. The island bears traces of the succeeding civilizations in the Aegean world, from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the palaeochristian era. The archaeological site is exceptionally extensive and rich and conveys the image of a great cosmopolitan Mediterranean port.
References
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