NAXOS (island)
Island city-state of Ancient Greece, with its acropolis at Chora, Naxos, Cyclades, Greece
- Kind of place
- Island
- People of myth here
- Ariadne
- Where
- 37.10° N, 25.38° E
The island is characterized as beautiful and noble in nature. Herodotus 5.31.1 Some people claim that Dionysus was born in Naxos. Diodorus 3.66 Sailors transported Ariadne to Naxos after she was abandoned by Theseus. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.9
Described in the sources
One Ariadne was married to Dionysus on the island. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.9 +1 The second Ariadne died on the island. Plutarch, Theseus 20.5 Lycus was a resident of this island city-state. Callimachus, Epigrams ΒΆ4 It is situated in close proximity to the region of Ionia. Herodotus 5.31.1 Leonidas was a native of Naxos located in the Aegean Sea. Pausanias 6.16.5 Polycrates imported goats from Scyros and Naxos to Samos. Athenaeus 12.57 The tomb of a nurse named Corcyne is shown on the island. Plutarch, Theseus 20.5 Megabates intended to cross to the island using a north wind. Herodotus 5.33.1 Naxos is described as an island of modest physical dimensions. Herodotus 5.31.1 The island contains images dedicated to the offspring of Leto. Pausanias 5.10.3
Gods and worship
Honors are paid to the second Ariadne on the island, with sacrifices accompanied by sorrow and mourning. Plutarch, Theseus 20.5
Stories and history
People from Naxos founded the city of Catana. Strabo 6.2.3 The Persians burned the temples and city of Naxos. Herodotus 6.96.1 Enemies transported their ships from Chios to the island. Herodotus 5.34.2 The attackers besieged the fortified city for four months. Herodotus 5.34.2 Naxos was built around the same time as Syracuse and Megara. Strabo 6.2.4 part 1 The people of Naxos founded the city of Callipolis in Sicily. Strabo 6.2.6 The people of Naxos claim that Dionysus was born in their city. Diodorus 3.66 Dionysus carried Ariadne away from this place to another island. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.9 The Persians enslaved the Naxians they captured during the attack. Herodotus 6.96.1 People from Naxos originally founded the city of Messana near Catana. Strabo 6.2.3
Myths set at Naxos
In the age of the gods
Before the heroes. In Godsunder these are history: everyone in the world knows them.
- Slaying of the Aloads. Artemis is courted by the giant Otus, one of the Aloads. She lures the brothers to Naxos and tricks them into killing each other. Apollodorus 1.7.4 Artemis
In the age of heroes
- Rescue of Ariadne. Dionysus rescues Ariadne from Naxos after Theseus abandons her, taking her as his wife and granting her immortality. The story ends with Dionysus placing her crown among the stars after her death. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.9 +5 Dionysus
- The Abandonment on Naxos. Theseus abandons Ariadne on the island of Dia after falling in love with another woman, causing him deep sorrow. Dionysus takes Ariadne away from the island during the night. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.10 +5 Ariadne
- The Marriage to Dionysus. hook: "Dionysus takes Ariadne as his wife in Naxos." goal: "Dionysus brings Ariadne to various locations and eventually honors her with immortality." outcome: "Ariadne dies, is buried by Dionysus, and her crown is placed among the stars."} Apollodorus, Epitome 1.9 +5 Ariadne
- Voyage of the Tyrsenian Pirates. Tyrsenian pirates seize Dionysus, mistaking him for a royal prince, and force him onto their ship. After a series of miraculous transformations and a violent attack by the helmsman, Dionysus survives and directs the crew to Naxos. Hymn VII to Dionysus ll. 1-16 +2 Dionysus