THASSOS TRAVEL GUIDE

THASSOS > HISTORY

HISTORY

The great historian Herodotus mentioned that the island was named after a Phoenician named Thassos who, while looking for his sister Europe, passed by the island and decided to stay, tempted by the abundance of wood, white marble and gold. However, the name may have come from the greek word for forest, "dasos", changing the first letter from "d" to "th".

The latest findings witness the presence of human way before 2000 BC. Until 700 BC when the Parians permanently settled the island, many neighbouring nations had passed by Thassos. The Parians, however, put the island on the map with their hard work and passion for the exploitation of its rich-producing sources.

Soon, Thassos became a great economical centre. Its products filled the world’s markets. Its currency was considered to be very powerful as its gold and silver mines covered almost all markets.

The island took part in the Peloponnesian War, sometimes supporting the Athenians and sometimes the Spartans. Due to war losses, Thassos was economically destroyed and its great walls fell down.

In the days of Phillip the 2nd, father of Alexander the Great, Thassos became part of Macedonia. The island participated in Alexander's expedition.

Afterwards, while being under the Romans’ control, Thassos had an economical rise. During the Dark Ages the island became a prey to many vicious pirates who acted uncontrollably in the Aegean. That led to the dramatic reduction of its population. The presence of the Venetian family Gatilusi at 1353 helped a little but later in 1455 the island was conquered by the Turks, and things got worse.

In October 18th 1912 Thassos was set free by the Greek fleet, since then it has gradually developed.

Thassos is the birthplace of Polygnotos, the great painter of ancient times, and of Theagenis, the famous athlete of ancient Greece. Thassos is proud of Polygnotos Vagis, the world-known sculptor whose work was exposed to the world's largest museums. Part of his work can still be found at his birthplace, Potamia village.

A famous visitor in ancient times was Hippocrates, the father of medicine, who resided the island for three years. He left notes concerning the climate, the winds and other useful information helping us understand that period.