NAXOS ISLAND (island in Naxos)
Greek island in the Aegean Sea
- Also called
- Dia
- Kind of place
- Island
- Region
- Naxos
- People of myth here
- Ephialtes, Otus of the Aloadae
- Where
- 37.08° N, 25.47° E
The island is characterized as beautiful and noble in nature. Herodotus 5.31.1 Inhabitants of Naxos point to sacred land or shrines consecrated to Dionysus as proof of his birth there. Diodorus 3.66 Some people claim that Dionysus was born on the island of Naxos. Diodorus 3.66
Described in the sources
Naxos has dependent islands including Paros and Andros. Herodotus 5.31.2 The Naxians claim the second Ariadne died on the island. Plutarch, Theseus 20.5 It is situated in close proximity to the region of Ionia. Herodotus 5.31.1 Polycrates imported goats from Scyros and Naxos to Samos. Athenaeus 12.57 Naxos is part of the group of islands called the Cyclades. Herodotus 5.31.2 Theseus and Ariadne arrived at this island during the night. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.9 Byzes, who invented stone tiles, was a native of this island. Pausanias 5.10.3 The Naxians claim the nurse Corcyne was buried on the island. Plutarch, Theseus 20.5 The Persians planned to attack Naxos before any other island. Herodotus 6.96.1 Naxos is described as an island of modest physical dimensions. Herodotus 5.31.1
Gods and worship
The Naxians celebrate the first Ariadne with mirth and revels on the island. Plutarch, Theseus 20.5 The Naxians perform sorrowful sacrifices for the second Ariadne on the island. Plutarch, Theseus 20.5
Stories and history
The Persians burned the temples and city of Naxos. Herodotus 6.96.1 Naxos was built around the same time as Syracuse and Megara. Strabo 6.2.4 part 1 Bacchus claims Naxos will be a hospitable land for the sailors. Ovid Met. 3.511-733 (5) Lygdamis was appointed to govern the island after its conquest. Herodotus 1.64.2 The island possesses a significant amount of wealth and slaves. Herodotus 5.31.1 The Persians enslaved the Naxians they captured during the attack. Herodotus 6.96.1 The subject was conquered by the individual mentioned in the text. Herodotus 1.64.2 Dionysus carried Ariadne away from this island to another location. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.9 The sand from Naxos shares a specific defect with sand from Coptos. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 36.9 ΒΆ1 The crew steered the ship away from the island after changing course. Ovid Met. 3.511-733 (6)