SANTORINI (island in Thera)
Greek island in the Cyclades
Theras led a colony to the island, which was named Thera after him. Pausanias 3.15.6 Flames erupted from the sea midway between Thera and Therasia for four days. Strabo 1.3.16 Rhodians built a temple to Asphalian Neptune on the newly formed island. Strabo 1.3.16
Described in the sources
The island was formerly known by the name Calliste. Herodotus 4.147.4 +2 Thera is located near the islands of Anaphe and Therasia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.89 ¶1 +2 Thera served as the metropolis and capital of the Cyrenaeans. Strabo 1.3.16 +1 Thera is located in the group of islands situated around Crete. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.89 ¶1 +1 The island lies opposite the island of Dia. Strabo 10.5.1 Descendants of Membliarus lived on the island. Herodotus 4.147.4 It is positioned towards the Cnossian Heracleium. Strabo 10.5.1 Cadmus stopped at the island while searching for Europa. Herodotus 4.147.4 Thera is described as an island belonging to Lacedaemon. Strabo 17.3.21 Themison arrived at Thera after sailing away with the girl. Herodotus 4.154.4
Stories and history
Callimachus praises the island's fine breed of horses and refers to Thera as the mother of his country. Strabo 10.5.1 +1 Inhabitants of Thera founded the city of Cyrene. Strabo 17.3.21 The Theraeans sent two fifty-oared ships to Platea. Herodotus 4.153.1 The island of Therasia was later torn away from Thera. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.23 ¶2 The priestess advised the people to send a colony to Libya. Herodotus 4.151.1 Men from Thera served as guides for Dorieus's expedition to Libya. Herodotus 5.42.2 Cadmus left his relative Membliarus and other Phoenicians on the island. Herodotus 4.147.4 Every tree on the island withered away except for a single surviving one. Herodotus 4.151.1 The Theraeans left a person named Corobius behind on the island of Thera. Herodotus 4.153.1 The inhabitants consulted the oracle at Delphi regarding their situation. Herodotus 4.151.1