Aegean

Definition

The Aegean Sea lies between the coast of Greece and Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It contains over 2,000 islands which were settled by the ancient Greeks; the largest among them being Crete (Kriti) and the best known and most often photographed Santorini (Thera or Thira). Both of these islands have strong associations with ancient history and Greek mythology in that Crete features significantly in the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur while the destruction of Santorini by a volcano eruption has long been considered a probable source for Plato's description of Atlantis in his dialogues of Critias and Timaeus.

More about: Aegean

Timeline

c. 5000 BCE
The Cyclades are first inhabited by settlers from Asia Mnior.
c. 4500 BCE
First settlement on Thera.
3000 BCE - 2000 BCE
First human presence recorded on Kos.
3000 BCE - 2200 BCE
The first archaeological evidence of organised communities in the Cyclades.
3000 BCE - 2000 BCE
Distinctive minimalistic standing marble figurines are produced in the Cyclades.
2300 BCE
Bronze is used in the Aegean.
2200 BCE - 1700 BCE
Evidence of town planning and more sophisticated architecture in the Cylades.
2000 BCE - 1450 BCE
Minoan civilization in Crete and the Aegean.
c. 2000 BCE
Akrotiri becomes an important Aegean trading centre.
2000 BCE - 1650 BCE
Akrotiri on Thera reaches its peak of prosperity and becomes a flourishing Mediterranean trading centre.
1900 BCE - 1100 BCE
Mycenaean civilization in Greece and the Aegean.
c. 1850 BCE - c. 1450 BCE
The Linear A script of the Minoan civilization is in use.
1700 BCE
Second Palace of Knossos on Crete.
1700 BCE - 1400 BCE
The culture in the Cyclades is increasingly influenced by Minoan Crete.
1650 BCE - 1550 BCE
Eruption of Thera and consequent tidal waves, destruction of Akrotiri and other Aegean centres.
1600 BCE - 1200 BCE
The Mycenaean settlement of Serayia flourishes on Kos.
c. 1600 BCE
Rhodes has significant contact with Minoan Crete.
c. 1400 BCE
Rhodes has significant contact with the Mycenaean civilization.
1400 BCE - 1100 BCE
Culture in the Cyclades is increasingly influenced by the Mycenaean civilization of mainland Greece.
1100 BCE
Dorian peoples occupy Greece.
c. 1100 BCE
Evidence of settlement destruction and abandonment across the Cyclades.
c. 700 BCE
Settlers from mainland Greece, possibly Samos, settle on Samothrace.
700 BCE - 600 BCE
Temples are built in honour of Apollo, Demeter and Dionysos on the island of Naxos.
c. 700 BCE
Paros begins to export its Parian marble across the Greek world and it is widely used in temples and sculpture.
c. 499 BCE
Naxos is attacked by Darius' Persian forces.
c. 467 BCE
The island of Naxos rebels against Athenian dominance of the Delian League.
431 BCE - 404 BCE
The Cycladic city states side with Athens in the Peloponnesian war against Sparta and her allies.
417 BCE - 415 BCE
Melos, after supporting Sparta in the Peloponnesian War, is attacked by Athens.
412 BCE
The Spartan general Astyochus sacks Kos.
377 BCE - 355 BCE
The Cycladic city states join Athens in the Second Athenian League against Sparta .
363 BCE
A rebellion against Athenian dominance of the Second Athenian League on Keos is quashed by Athens.
166 BCE
Rome gives dominion over the Cyclades to Athens.
88 BCE
Mithridates attacks and detroys the island of Delos.