Due to the position of Amorgos across from ancient beaches of Ionian towns, such as Militos, Alikarnasos and Efessos, it became one of the first places from which the Ionians passed through to the Cyclades Islands and onto mainland Greece. The existence of three independent cities with autonomous constitution and the same currency, which have been preserved to this day, the size and artistic works of the walls surrounding the city of Arkesini, the ancient towers to which skeletons were raised to this day all over the island, the ancient tombs, the stone tools, the inscriptions, the vases and other antiquities are all powerful proof of the size of the ancient civilisation of Amorgos. Amorgos is also known as Yperia, Patagy, or Platagy, Pagali, Psichia, and Karkisia. Part of the island is named Aspis, where the ancient temple of the Goddess Aphrodite stood. From the name Minoa we suspect that from ancient times Amorgos had been colonised by the Cretans. Also, according to Suidan and from inscriptions, Samians inhabited the island under the leadership of Simmias. With the passing of time the islands name changed to Amolgon, Amourgon, Amorgian, and Amourgian. After the 5th century you can also find the name Amoulgos from Bishop Theodore who signed a Synod in Constantinople, as Theodore the Bishop of Parion, Sifnion, and Amoulgion. Skilax mentions it as Tripoli (the circumnavigation of the Cyclades Islands). The names of the three cities given by Stefanos Vizantios are Arkesini, Minoa, Aigiali or Melania where according to inscriptions, are the more correct. The three towns are on the island's east coast because only there you can find the right bays and natural ports that could provide the proper positioning for seaside towns and forts. Aigiali was on the north East Side of the island close to the present day locations of Tholaria and Stroumvos and to this day can still be found there. Whilst Minoa is situated at the centre of the northern side close to the present day village of Katapola, and Arkesini close to the present day lowland location Castri. From excavations and findings, especially burial tombs we believe that the presence of Amorgos during the prehistoric years existed intensely, particularly during the first period of Cycladic civilisation (3200 to 2000 BC).The town of Minoa could be considered a colony of Crete, but if the name Minoa was Greek, then it would represent towns established in subsequent periods, expanding in areas where the Cretan domination was situated. The three towns were considered colonies of Samos, though most probably Minoa was a Samiaki colony, Aigiali a colony of Milisia and Arkesini a colony of Naxos. These three cities flourished during historical times and had enormous trade and naval power. They were composed of a commonwealth until the second half of the 4th century BC, which is why in the taxation catalogues of the first Athenian alliance with Dilos, the inhabitants of the towns are cited by the name Amorgians. The naval battle of Amorgos happened in the area in 322 BC, which was the last of the Lamiakou war, between the Athenians and the Macedonian Generals of Alexander the Great of Antiparou, Leonnato and Kratero. That was when Athens lost if naval power forever. Amorgos became known for the tunics called Amorgina or Amorgides, which were very transparent, leaving the body almost naked and had a unique red colour. The tunics are even mentioned in Lisistartis of Aristophanis at the time where Lisistratis was motivating the women to wear them in order to attract men's attention. These tunics were made from flax of excellent quality and came from the plant Lichina Roccela tinctoria or Roccela Phicopsis Ach, which was found plenty on the island and was used by the English industry until the beginning the 20th century. |
