MILOS (island in Melos)
Island of the Cyclades, Greece
- Kind of place
- Island
- Region
- Melos
- People of myth here
- Menestheus
- Where
- 36.74° N, 24.42° E
The island is described as the most circular in form among the listed islands. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶2 The island of Melos is a source of high-quality pumice stones. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 36.42 ¶1 Melos possesses a naturally warm spring that is sweet in taste. Athenaeus 2.17
Described in the sources
Melos is listed as one of the islands in the Cyclades group. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶2 +1 The island is the source of a specific type of alumen known as molinum. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.52 ¶6 +1 Dionysodorus was a native of this island. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.112 ¶5 Anapha is located beyond the island of Melos. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.89 ¶1 The island contains a city that shares its name. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶2 Acytos referred to the island by the name Siphis. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶2 Aristides referred to the island by the name Memblis. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶2 Heraclides referred to the island by the name Siphis. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶2 Aristotle referred to the island by the name Zephyria. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶2 Callimachus referred to the island by the name Mimallis. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶2
Stories and history
Alumen imported from Melos is considered the second best quality after that from Egypt and is more effective for treating various ailments. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.52 ¶2 +1 Melos produces two varieties of the mineral: liquid and solid forms. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.52 ¶2 The previous king of the island, Polyanax, died before Menestheus arrived. Apollodorus, Epitome 6.15b Workers lie flat on the ground to search for pigment veins among the rocks there. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.19 ¶1 The islanders of Melos participated in the event described in this list of contributors. Pausanias 5.23.2 The island possesses a small deposit of styptic earth that is insufficient for many cities. Diodorus 5.10 The Athenians previously sent an army to the island and executed its residents, starting from the youngest age. Strabo 10.5.1