KOS (island in Cos)
Greek island
- Kind of place
- Island
- Region
- Cos
- Landmarks
- Halisarna Strabo 14.2.19
- Where
- 36.82° N, 27.11° E
Leto visited Cos while in labor to find a place for her son. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 30-50 The city is described as not large but beautifully built. Strabo 14.2.19 The city is a pleasing sight for mariners sailing by the coast. Strabo 14.2.19
Described in the sources
Philetas the poet and critic is listed as a notable native of Cos. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶1 (2) +2 Cos is described as the city of Eurypylus. Iliad 2 ¶53 +1 Hercules was transported to Cos by Juno and Boreas while away from his friends. Iliad 14 ¶21 +1 Votive tablets recording cures are hung on the temple walls of Asclepius on the island. Pausanias 3.23.6 +1 Cadmus, who was sent to Delphi, was a native of Cos and inherited its tyranny from his father. Herodotus 7.163.2 +1 Cos lies opposite the coast of Ionia. Strabo 2.5.21 Cos is located within the Aegaean Sea. Strabo 2.5.21 The island is referred to as primeval Cos. Callimachus, Hymn 4 ¶5 The island is situated among the Sporades. Strabo 2.5.21 The island has a promontory named Scandaria. Strabo 14.2.18
Gods and worship
On Cos, slaves are excluded from participating in sacrifices to Hera, forbidden from entering the temple, and prohibited from tasting the sacrificial food. Athenaeus 14.44 +1
Stories and history
Poseidon broke off a part of the island called Nisyrum and threw it at Polybotes. Apollodorus 1.6.2 +1 Macareus settled Cos and appointed Neandrus to be its king. Diodorus 5.81 The island wished for glory for the nearby Dorian dwellers. Theocritus, Idyl 17 ¶4 The island cried out with joy upon seeing the newborn child. Theocritus, Idyl 17 ¶4 The son of Chalciope forbade her from staying on the island. Callimachus, Hymn 4 ¶5 The island touched the child with kind hands after his birth. Theocritus, Idyl 17 ¶4 The island fostered the newborn Ptolemy when he was an infant. Theocritus, Idyl 17 ¶4 The island was invaded by the Amazons at some point in history. Strabo 12.8.6 The people of Cos trembled and feared to receive the newborn god. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 30-50 Macareus appointed Neandrus to rule the island of Cos as its king. Diodorus 5.81