History Samothrace

1 history

1.1 antiquity
1.2 middle ages modern era
1.3 today

history
antiquity

sanctuary of great gods, paleopolis.



samothrace, mount fengari in background.



landscape



waterfall , pond, characteristics of island.

samothrace not state of political significance in ancient greece, since has no natural harbour , of island mountainous cultivation: mount fengari (literally mt. moon ) rises 1,611 m (5,285 ft). was, however, home of sanctuary of great gods, site of important hellenic , pre-hellenic religious ceremonies. among visited shrine initiated island cult lysander of sparta, philip ii of macedon , lucius calpurnius piso caesoninus, father-in-law of julius caesar.

the ancient city, ruins of called palaeopoli ( old city ), situated on north coast. considerable remains still exist of ancient walls, built in massive cyclopean style, of sanctuary of great gods, mysterious rites (samothracian mysteries) took place open both slaves , free people (similar eleusinian mysteries). demetrios of skepsis mention samothracian mysteries.

the traditional account antiquity samothrace first inhabited pelasgians , carians, , later thracians. @ end of 8th century bc island colonised greeks samos, name samos of thrace, later became samothrace; however, strabo denies this. archaeological evidence suggests greek settlement in sixth century bc.

the persians occupied samothrace in 508 bc, later passed under athenian control, , member of delian league in 5th century bc. subjugated philip ii, , till 168 bc under macedonian suzerainty. battle of pydna samothrace became independent, condition ended when vespasian absorbed island in roman empire in ad 70.

during roman , particularly imperial period, interest of roman emperors, radiation of sanctuary of great gods surpassed greek borders , samothrace became international religious center pilgrims flocked on roman world. apart famous sanctuary, decisive role in great development of samothrace played 2 ports passed sea road troas – macedonia. furthermore, important role played possessions in perea, conceded romans @ least during imperial period, evidenced inscriptions of 1st ad century.

the book of acts in christian bible records apostle paul, on second missionary journey outside of palestine, sailed troas samothrace , spent 1 night there on way macedonia.

middle ages modern era

samothrachi francesco piacenza, 1688



flag of revolutionaries of samothrace during greek war of independence.



view of samothraki.



fishing boats @ samothraki port.

st. theophanes died in samothrace in 818. byzantines ruled until 1204, when venetians took place, dislodged genoan family in 1355, gattilusi. ottoman empire conquered in 1457 , called semadirek in turkish; insurrection against them local population during greek war of independence (1821–1831) led massacre of 1,000 inhabitants. island came under greek rule in 1913 following balkan wars. occupied temporarly bulgaria during second world war, 1941 1944.

today

the modern port town of kamariotissa on north-west coast , provides ferry access , points in northern greece such alexandroupoli , kavala. there no commercial airport on island. other sites of interest on island include ruins of genoese forts, picturesque chora (literally village) , paliapoli (literally old town), , several waterfalls.