The history - Skyros

Skyros

History

Skyros has been inhabited from the Stone Age as evidenced from the findings from the area of Kastro. The first inhabitants of the island were «Kares», «Pleazyi» and «Dolopes». This is why it was first called Pelazya or Dolopia but also the island of magnets.

According to Greek mythology, Thetis the goddess mother of Achilles, had sent her son to Skyros to avoid taking part in the Trojan campaing so that the prophesy that the would be killed would not come true. At Skyros, Achilles was brought up by King Likomidi among his daughters and he himself was dressed as a girl. He fall in love with one of the King's daughters, Diidamina and they had a son called Neoptolemo. When Kalchas prophesied that Troy wouldn't be captured without the participation of Achilles, the ingenious Ulysses came to Skyros and using a cunning trick discovered where Achilles was. Afterwards, Achilles became the leader of the Mirmithones and he lead them to Troy.

After the death of Achilles in Troy, Ulysses returned to Skyros, this time seeking Neoptolemo. According to a prophesy of Elenou Troy would not fall unless the son of Achilles fought under its walls.

In sprite of King Likomidi's reluctance to let him go, Neoptolemo was detrmined to fight because, like his father, he craved for war and glory.

At Skyros, according to mythology the King of Athens, Thiseas, was thrown from the cliffsinto the sea by King Likomidi because he has feared for his throne.

During the time of the First Athenian Alliance general Kimon campaigned to expel the Dolopes from the island. The latter were pirates and were a threat to the commercial fleet in the north - east Agean. Kimon wanting to occupy Skyros on behalf of the Athenian Alliance, expelled the Dolopes and distributed the land among the Athenians. As this was the beginning of the Alliance, it was political expedience for the Athenian aristocrats to be given divine sanction for their activities. This is why, obeying the old oracle of Delphi, Kimon transferred the bones of the hero Thisea with great pomp and ceremony, to Athens where they were placed at Thiseon.

During the Macedonian, rule, Skyros belonged to the Athenian allotment holders. It came under the rule of the Macedonians and then the Romans who donated it back to the Athenians. During the early Byzantine period the island didn't flourish but in the middle Byzantine period it benefited from its economic prosperity and became a Bishopric.

After the capture of Constantinople by the Crusados (1204) Skyros was ruled by the Venetians. At the end of the 14th century it was occupied by the Turks but a little later through a treaty it was handed over the Byzantium again. After the capture of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453, it surrendered to the Venetians and became a colony of the state of Venice.

During the first Turkish - Venetian war Skyros set fire to by the Turkish fleet who were not able to capture the castle, but after the raid by the notorious pirate Hairentin Barbarosa, Skyros submitted to the Turks. During the 2nd Turkish - Venetian war the Venetians ruled again for some years, but the island was soon under Turkish rule again.

During the Greek revolution of 1821 the participation of the inhabitants of Skyros was significant in both land and sea operations and the island became a refuge for refugees. Skyros was liberated, together with the rest of the Sporades, in 1829.

Today, Skyros, by maintaining its local architectural style, its local colour and folklore traditions is a living museum of the old life style of the island. The cube - shaped houses are distinguished not only for their beauty but also for their economy of space. Its popular art lives creatively in the field of handicraft, ceramics and embroidery. The ornamental motives are inspired by the natural and social environment. Many customs record the popular conscience of the inhabitants. The Skyrian carnival festivity is one of the most important events. This is a tradition which goes back to the worship of Dionyssius, but also to the eternal desire of man to provoke the creative powers of nature.