CHIOS (island)
Greek island in the Aegean Sea
The blind singer is described as dwelling in rocky Chios. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 165-178 The inhabitants of the island claim Homer as their native son. Strabo 14.1.35 The region of Ariusia produces the finest wines in Greece. Strabo 14.1.35
Described in the sources
Chios is an island in the Aegean Sea, described as the brightest of all the isles in the sea. Aeschylus, Persians 879-887 +4 The island lies opposite the regions of Caria, Ionia, and Aeolia. Diodorus 5.84 +2 The island was formerly known by the name Pityusa. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.38 ¶1 +1 Strattis held the position of tyrant over this island. Herodotus 4.138.2 +1 Pelinaeum is the highest mountain located on the island. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.38 ¶1 +1 The island lies midway between the Erythraean harbor and the mainland cape Mesate. Pausanias 7.5.6 +1 Chios lies close to the land of the speaker. Aeschylus, Persians 879-887 Licymnius was a native of the island of Chios. Athenaeus 13.80 The island is situated between Samos and Lesbos. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.38 ¶1 The main city on the island features a good port. Strabo 14.1.35
Gods and worship
Chians sacrifice to Drimacus at the shrine when he appears to them in sleep. Athenaeus 6.90 Runaway slaves brought the first fruits of their plunder to the shrine on Chios. Athenaeus 6.90 The Chians built a shrine called the Gentle Hero in their land to honor Drimacus. Athenaeus 6.90
Stories and history
The island contains a quarry for extracting marble. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.38 ¶1 +1 The island is the source of a specific type of wine, including a variety known as Arvisium. Athenaeus 1.5 +1 Rhadamanthys gave the island to Oenopion, son of Ariadne, and spent his time there while ruling it. Diodorus 5.79 +1 The islanders once possessed a naval force. Strabo 14.1.35 The tyrants forced citizens to sweep the roads. Athenaeus 6.75 Artemis roused a Scorpion against Orion on the island. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶28 The conspirators planned to kill the local tyrant here. Herodotus 8.132.2 Pindar mentions the Homeridae as chanters of rhapsodies. Strabo 14.1.35 Artemis split the surrounding hills of the island in two. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶28 Meno and Dionysiodorus fled from Chios to settle in Thurii. Athenaeus 11.114