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Skiathos' Brief History
Like many Greek islands Skiathos has a long and turbulent history. Skiathos
is a member of the Sporades group of islands which is from the Greek for
scattered. . . Pre historic times saw the people of Thrace becoming settlers
then the Chalcideans make an appearance between the 7th and 6th century B.
C.
Later on in 478 BC Skiathos joined the
Athenian Alliance and
a short period of independence saw Skiathos flourish. When Sparta tried to
capture the island, Skiathos with help of Athens managed to force them out. A part of this success
saw the island produce its own bronze coin with the head of the messenger to
the Gods Hermes on one side and the word CKIATHI (Skiathos) on the reverse.
In 338 B. C. Skiathos fell under Macedonian rule. They established an
oligarchic rule of government and the island remained relatively undisturbed
until the arrival of the Roman fleet in 199 B.C.
In the Byzantine era the island was delivered in 1204 to the then powerful
Venetians by the Franks. They remained in force till 1276 when the Byzantine
fleet banished them from the North Sporades. In 1310 the inhabitants were
forced to abandon the ancient town of Skiathos and fortify a new town
(Kastro) to escape continual pirate attacks. From the time it was founded
until 1453, Kastro was under the sway of the Byzantine Empire. The
Byzantines deserted Skiathos in 1453.
Moving on to 1538 the Turks conquered the island. The brave inhabitants of
Skiathos joined the Mainland Greek insurgents in 1821 and the defeated Turks
left the Island.
The occupation of islands by the German and Italian forces during 1941-1944
saw a brave resistance movement set up and the Greek guerrillas remained a
thorn in the occupier’s side till the wars end.
Since the end of the hostilities Skiathos has prospered and is now a
successful tourist destination. |
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