NISYROS (island)
Island in Greece
- Kind of place
- Island
- Landmarks
- Temple of Poseidon Strabo 10.5.16; Hot springs Strabo 10.5.16
- People of myth here
- Polybotes
- Where
- 36.59° N, 27.16° E
The island has a round shape and is characterized by being lofty and rocky. Strabo 10.5.16 The island features a harbour and hot springs. Strabo 10.5.16 According to a myth, the giant Polybotes lies trapped beneath the island. Strabo 10.5.16
Described in the sources
Nisyros was formerly known by the name Porphyris. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.36 ¶1 +1 Nisyrus is situated approximately sixty stadia away from Cos. Strabo 10.5.16 +1 Nisyrus is situated near Asia rather than Europe. Strabo 10.5.14 A temple dedicated to Neptune stands on the island. Strabo 10.5.16 The island is a source of high-quality pumice stones. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 36.42 ¶1 The island was one of the territories led by Artemisia. Herodotus 7.99.2 The island is classified as one of the Sporades islands. Strabo 10.5.14 Nisyrus was held by troops led by Pheidippus and Antiphus. Iliad 2 ¶53 The total circumference of the island measures eighty stadia. Strabo 10.5.16 The island was originally settled by Carians in ancient times. Diodorus 5.54
Stories and history
An epidemic carried away the population of the island. Diodorus 5.54 Thettalus, son of Heracles, took possession of the island. Diodorus 5.54 It is believed to have been separated from the island of Cos. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.36 ¶2 It is reported that Nisyrus was a fragment broken off from Cos. Strabo 10.5.16 The island possesses an abundance of mill-stone used for grinding. Strabo 10.5.16 The Rhodians dispatched colonists to the island after the epidemic. Diodorus 5.54 The ancient inhabitants of the island were destroyed by earthquakes. Diodorus 5.54 Coan kings led sailors from the island in the expedition against Troy. Diodorus 5.54 Some accounts state that the giant lies beneath Cos instead of Nisyrus. Strabo 10.5.16 The Coans later settled the island after the destruction of its natives. Diodorus 5.54