SAMOS (island)
Greek island in Aegean Sea
- Kind of place
- Island
- Where
- 37.75° N, 26.83° E
The island is characterized by being planted with olive trees. Aeschylus, Persians 879-887 The island is home to the largest known temple. Herodotus 3.60.4 Smilis created the statue of Hera located in Samos. Pausanias 7.4.7
Described in the sources
Polycrates ruled the island of Samos as a despot and tyrant, wearing a famous emerald ring. Athenaeus 12.22 +4 Samos is near Chios, Lesbos, Tenedos, Cos, Patmos, and Leros, and lies right of the Trogilium to Sunium route. Strabo 10.5.13 +3 A temple dedicated to the goddess Hera is located on the island and is considered noteworthy among Greek structures. Herodotus 2.148.2 +3 Samos is located in the Aegean Sea, specifically in the Icarian Sea, opposite the region of Ionia and on the coast adjacent to Asia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.37 ¶1 +3 Rhoecus and Theodorus, who pioneered bronze casting, were natives of this island. Pausanias 8.14.8 +2 Samos is located in a strait near Ithaca where the suitors lay in wait to ambush Telemachus. Odyssey 15 ¶2 +2 Samos is located across from the mainland promontory of Mycale, with the Poseidium promontory forming a strait seven stadia wide toward it. Herodotus 1.148.1 +2 The island of Icaria is located near Samos. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶1 +1 Creophylus, who hosted Homer, was from this island. Strabo 14.1.18 +1 Oroetes sent a Lydian herald to the island to deliver a message. Herodotus 3.121.1 +1
Gods and worship
Elpis built a temple to Father Liber on this island. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 8.21 ¶3 Juno did not love Samos as much as she loved Carthage. Aeneid 1.12 The Greeks called the temple there the temple of the open-mouthed Bacchus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 8.21 ¶3
Stories and history
The Persians returned the now uninhabited island to Syloson. Herodotus 3.144.1 +1 Androclus expelled the Leleges and Lydians from the upper city of the island. Pausanias 7.2.8 +1 The Samians committed an outrage against the Corinthians a generation before the expedition. Herodotus 3.48.1 +1 The Lacedaemonians besieged the island for forty days with a large army without achieving success. Herodotus 3.54.1 +1 Tembrion founded the settlement of Samos. Strabo 14.1.3 King Darius conquered the island of Samos. Herodotus 3.139.1 The Athenians held enmity toward the island. Strabo 14.1.15 The Ionians expelled the Leleges from Samos. Strabo 14.1.3 The inhabitants of the area are called Samae. Strabo 10.2.13 The island contains a mountain named Cerceteus. Strabo 10.5.13
Myths set at Samos
- The Return from Exile and Consultation of the Oracle. hook: Arcesilaus, in exile on Samos, seeks to return home. goal: He consults the oracle at Delphi to guide his return and gathers men by promising them land. outcome: He receives a specific prophetic warning from a priestess. Herodotus 4.163.1 +1 Arcesilaus
- The Theft of the Hera of Samos. hook: Tyrrhenians hired by Argives attempt to steal the statue of Hera from Samos. goal: The thieves aim to remove the deity's image from its temple. outcome: The statue is found on the shore, bound by locals, and finally released and purified by Admete. Athenaeus 15.12 Hera