History

An island that has been inhabited for 10,000 years…

That’s right. A recent analysis of organic samples from Maroulas (near Loutra) document the fact that this land has been inhabited since the 8th millennium BC (Mesolithic era). This is where extremely ancient circular constructions were found, that were utilized as housing huts, and also some graves.

In better “known” history, i.e. recorded history, the island of Kythnos was inhabited by the tribe of Dryopes at some point in the 13th century BC. According to Herodotus, the Dryopes came from Euboea under the leadership King Kythnos, a mythical son of the god Apollo. Later on they were followed by Ionians, who established a flourishing city state.

…and producing culture for 3,500 years!

This ancient land was well-known for its rule of law. To such a degree, in fact, that Aristotle dedicated a special study on Kythnos in his work “On the Constitution of the Kythnians”.

The ancient Kythnias also were good seafarers. During the Persian Wars they contributed ships, a trireme and a penteconter, to the joint fleet. They also had a flourishing cultural tradition, both in the arts and the letters. Two well-known painters lived here: Timanthes and Kydias.

It is worth visiting these archaeological sites to feel for an instant the energy of this most ancient history.