Introduction to Rhode Island

Rhode Island, with an area of 1400 square kilometers, is the largest of the Greek Dodd-kanis Islands in the southeast Aegean Sea. Throughout the bronze age, ancient style and classical period, especially the Hellenistic period, the island was an important protagonist in broader Greek and Mediterranean affairs. In ancient times, the island was also famous for its cultural center and the colossus of Rhode Island, which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

The mythical Rhodes Island

In Greek mythology, the name of the island comes from the goddess Rodo, who gave birth to seven sons for Helius, the patron saint of the island. The three grandchildren of these descendants are heroes of the three major cities on the island: Camillus, Illysos and Lindos, and they are named after them. To commemorate Helius, the Pan-Greek Games are held on the island every five years. Every year, a chariot and four horses (quadriga) are thrown into the sea as sacrifices (it is believed that this is the kind of horse he rides).

Other mythical connections with the island include the belief that the Terchin people have a studio on the island. They are considered to be an ancient demigod race, who invented and were particularly good at metalworking. As the founder of the first settlement, the island also worships Hercules. Other important ceremonies are dedicated to Apollo, Zeus, Athena and Dionysus. During the Hellenistic period, the island accepted several Egyptian cults, such as Sarapis and Isis.

Rhode Island became an important center of the Bronze Age from16th century BC, during which the island was closely related to Minoan civilization.

Historical overview

The island was inhabited for the first time in the Neolithic Age, and the first concrete remains of early civilization were found in the prehistoric site Ialysos on the northwest coast. The settlement became an important center of the Bronze Age from the 6th century BC/Kloc-0. During this period, the island was closely related to Minoan civilization based on Crete. Evidence of trade and cultural ties with Minoan people includes weighing, linear writing, pottery, mural design and architectural discoveries in Crete.

Although Trianda was destroyed by the earthquake and buried in volcanic ash erupted in the late Bronze Age, the site was built by Mycenae civilization (based on the Greek mainland). Since14th century BC, Mycenae has established other colonies on the island. Pottery and rock tombs can prove the existence of Mycenae culture. These tombs are usually arranged in rows with symbolic big stones at the top. Their contributions in this kind of tombs include gold, silver and glass products, which shows that the prosperity of this period is very high. The existence of Egyptian scarab and Cyprus seal proves that the island has established an extensive trade network and will develop in the next Millennium.

After the flood in the middle of BC 1 1 century and the end of Mycenae, Greece was further colonized with the establishment of the city-states of Lindus (southeast), Ilisus (north) and Kamilus led by tyrants. Northeast). These Poles established their own colonies, such as Guerra in Sicily and Risley in West Asia.

The island was ruled by Persia in 490 BC, but in the late 5th century BC, Rhodes became a member of the Tyrion League and led it (later ruled by Athens). But the island rebelled against Athens in 4 12 BC, stood with Sparta in the Peloponnesian War, and then took this action. In 408 BC, these city-states united to form a federal state, probably for greater business opportunities. The capital of New South Wales is Lodo, which is located in the northernmost part of the island.

Loyalty to Sparta ended in 395 BC, when democracy was established on the island. Around 378 BC, it was once a member of the Second Athens League, and the island became the garrison of Solas, the governor of Calian, who was stationed on the island in 357 BC. The next foreign power imposed on him was Alexander the Great, who established the Macedonian garrison on the island. However, under the leadership of his successor, Rhode Island enjoyed another period of prosperity because of its five ports and its geographical location near the newly established city in the eastern Mediterranean. Macedonian Demetrius I tried to occupy the island in 305 BC, but failed after a year-long siege. Pioneering Rhode Island people sold Demetrius' siege equipment and used the money to build a huge bronze statue of 33 meters high, dedicated to their patron saint Helius, which is the colossus of Rhode Island and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This statue was carved by Cyrus, a native of Lindus Island. It stood at the entrance of the port, but unfortunately it collapsed in an earthquake in 228 or 226 BC.

The island maintained independent and developed trade relations, especially with Ptolemy-ruled Egypt. In addition, Rhode Island's naval fleet has played an important role in the fight against piracy in the Aegean Sea, which is a particularly worrying issue, because Karpazos Island, Nisiros Island and Perea Island (a region in the eastern continent) are now under the control of Rhode Island.

Rhodes became an ally of Rome in the wars with Philip V and Antioch III, and gained Shane territory in Caria and Lycia. However, not all Rhode Island people support friendly relations with Rome, and this alliance is not always peaceful. In BC 167, Rome decided to set Tiro Island in cyclades as a free port, which damaged the trade leading position of Rhode Island and made things worse. In 88 BC, it was besieged by Mithradati VI. In 43 BC, it was ousted by cassius Lang Gilnus, and Rhodes' role as a major political force ended. However, the island still enjoys a certain economic prosperity and continues to maintain its reputation as an important cultural center, especially in sculpture and philosophy (especially Stoicism). Cicero also studied in Rhode Island, continuing the literary tradition initiated by apollonius Rodius, one of the island's most famous sons, a writer and poet.

Archaeological site

Although the town of Rhodes was built in a large number in the later period, it still shows the remains of temples, city walls, stadiums, concert halls and port buildings. Camillus never had a strong acropolis; Nevertheless, the excavation found a temple of Athena, stoas, a market and a large number of private residential remains. Hilari Seuss showed Mycenae's mausoleum, the temples of Athena and Zeus, and a fountain.

Perhaps the most important archaeological site on the island is Lindos, which was the capital before moving to Rhode Island. In 408 BC. According to tradition, in BC 15 10, Danaus built the temple of Athena Lindia on the acropolis in this town. During the reign of the tyrant Cleo Bruce in the 6th century BC, it was replaced by a new Doric temple. After this temple was destroyed by fire, another temple was rebuilt in 342 BC. A large porch or door and a huge staircase were added to the holy land. In 300 BC. In the 2nd century BC, a Greek colonnade was built. Another interesting thing is that the ruins of the theater originally had 26 rows of seats, which could accommodate about18,000 spectators, as well as a Dionysus Temple and a rock tomb. All these monuments prove the wealth and prestige that this island once enjoyed, because it is the trade center of the eastern Mediterranean.