Mythology: The myth of Deucalion and Pyra, who were saved from the deluge, which was caused by Zeus to punish the mortals, is closely connected with the eruption in Santorini. This myth is chronologically placed in 1530 and 1400 BC. Another myth about a flood is the angry reaction of Poseidon, who flooded Attica when Athena beat him in their rivalry about the domination of Athens. The death of Hippolytus was caused by a huge wave, raised by Poseidon near Troizina.
Roman & Byzantine Empire
In in the enormous "lake" of Roman Empire, the Mediterranean, Thira is nothing more than an insignificant island. The Christianity however reached early and it appears that, from the fourth century, existed already as an organised church. Is also testified as "Thira's Bishopric" with the first bishop named Dioskouros. From the period of Ioustinianos until 1207, when it was also suppressed, the Thira's Bishopric was one of the depended in the Metropolitan throne of Rhodes bishoprics and are always reported fifth in the line.
Neither political or military importance appears that it had in the Byzantine years. It is however remarkable that Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118) founded the temple of Virgin Mary of Bishopric in Gonia, perhaps as catholic some monastery.
From the years still Byzantines, the most terrible plague of Aegean islands were the every nation, race and language pirates, who undisturbed occupied the coastline imposing taxes and took whatever they wanted. Because of this and in order to rescue their lives, but also in order to safeguard minimal existing their from the invaders, people on the island had encompassed their villages in fortified "Castelia" (Castles), to which they resorted even the serfs when the sentinels gave the signal of alarm from the utmost sides of the island. In the island of Santorini, are reported - from the years of Frankish - five castles. The castle of Skaros was the most important, not only because of its location and equipment, but also because in this had been installed and resided the Fragoi souvereigns of island, with their Despot. Skaros, was built under the Imerovigli village, in the rough cliffs of "Theoskepasti". Today are rescued minimal ruins, because from 1700, residents abandoned Skaros and moved to Fira.
Second was the Casteli of Apanomerias (Above Side - Oia), that was named also "the Castle of Saint Nikolaos". Third was at Pirgos village, fourth, in Emporio village and fifth was the Casteli in Akrotiri, which it's named also as Pountas Casteli.
The last four Castles were built in the homonym villages of the island and before the earthquake of 1956, they were all in good condition. Outside from the each Castle and exactly in the front side of his gate, it was (and it is still) a church which all of them are dedicated in the name of Saint Theodosia. Even in the castle of Skarou, which the most residents there were Catholics, existed at the front of the gate a church in memory of Saint Theodosia. It's worthwhile to mention Saint Theodosia is celebrated on 29 May and that the same season where her martyrdom was taken place in the Byzantium, the 726 AC, became also the terrible explosion of volcano, that created Palaia Kameni (Old Burned).
The ancient Thira
During the archaic season (7th and 6th centuries BC) Fira is being linked with Crete and Paros initially, later with Attica, Corinthus, Rhodes and Ionia. This relation, however remain surface, without be able to influence effectively the structure of conservative society of residents and alter the cultural life of the island. Frugal as they are, stays satisfy with what they get from the fertile ground of their island and they avoid the marine "adventures".
From the 6th century BC Fira creates her own currency. Two dolphins were the official emblem of the island (decoration). In the years of the Persian Wars the mint of Fira closed and open again when the Athenian hegemony in the Aegean ended, around that is to say in the means of 4th century BC. During the Peloponnesian War, as it was logical, Fira supported Sparta. In the Hellenistic years the strategic place of the island in the Aegean was in appreciated particularly by the Ptolemy. The natural fortification of Mesa Vouno (In Mountain) and its framework by two sandy beaches, suitable for anchorage, made Fira precious naval and military base for the martial enterprises of Successors in the Aegean.
The years after the Eruption
Lava was created!!. The most terrifying known explosion of volcano in the world takes place more or less during the 2nd BC millenium and plunge deep into an entire island with the culture and the values of its people.
Reports that we have from Herodotus in the precocious history, this island has been called Stronghyle (the Round One) because of its circular shape. Around 1300BC, Phoenicians settled for five generations and Kadmos was their leader. Later on, the island was colonised by Lacedaemonian and created a colony. Their leader was Thiras, Aftesionas' son and for that reason they name the island Thira.
On 9th century BC Thira, becomes - with Cyprus, Crete, Milos and the rest of south-eastern coasts of continental Greece - one of the stations of bridge that link the East with the West. In the end of the 7th and at the beginning of the 8th century BC, in Fira, Crete and Milos the Phoenician alphabet was imported and the Hellenic language was created.
The years before the Eruption
The existing archeological findings on Akrotiri, clearly demonstrate that before the eruption, there was a developed and propably oligarchic life on the island which confirm the human presence above the island before the Bronze Age. So far no human body has been found killed by the eruption but there is a strong believe that had been warned in time to evacuate the island.
The big excavation of Akrotiri certifies that and in the next period, Middle-Cycladic (2000-1550 BC.) the human activity above in the island did not also stop:
the Middle and early Late Bronze Age (ca. 20th-17th centuries B.C.) it was extended and gradually developed into one of the main urban centres and ports of the Aegean. The large extent of the settlement (ca. 20 hectares), the elaborate drainage system, the sophisticated multi-storeyed buildings with the magnificent wall-paintings, furniture and vessels, show its great development and prosperity.
The various imported objects found in the buildings indicate the wide network of its external relations. Akrotiri was in contact with Crete but also communicated with the Greek Mainland, the Dodecanese, Cyprus, Syria and Egypt.
The early Years
After the fallen of Istamboul from the Crusaders of Fourth Crusade (1204) and the creation of Latin Empire of Bosporus, the Dandolos granted the islands in his nephew, Mark Sanoudo. In this way, the Duchy of Naxos or Archipelago had been established. Thira became the seat for one of the four Latin bishoprics of Duchy and, with Thirassia, was granted as barony to Iakov Varotsi. Until 1296 the island was managed by five generations of Varotsi family, which they made use of the pompous title "Despotai of islands Santorini and Thirassia".
Thira tooks the name "Santorini" from a small church of Saint Irene (Santa Irini). There is a believes that the name came from the church in Perissa or from others that came from a church in Rivas of Thirassia.
In the years of Frankish rule (1207 - 1579), Santorini followed the fate and the history of remainder islands of Duchy of Naxos. At this years was expelled the family Varotsi (1335) and the Barony was blamed in the Duchy. Under the hegemony of Sanoudes, the island knew big bloom with the growth of the cotton cultivation. During the period of power of Duke Jacob of Krispon dynasty (1397 - 1418) Jacob studied particularly the volcano while the later concession of Santorini in the Duke of Crete Dominico Pisani, brought new latin bishop under the protection of Venice and was thus strengthened the agriculture with particular growth of culture of cotton and viticulture.
Follows finally, the annexation of island, with the remainder Duchy, in Venice (1487).
In entire the duration of Frankish rule, the islands suffered so much from the piratical raids, what from the competitions aamong the local latin dynaties or between the Duke and the Sultan. The same period, the coexistence of two christian communities of - catholic and orthodoxe - above in the island, often created their frictions between them, instigated by the religious leadership of both communities.
Turkish conquest (1579 - 1821) contributed in the repression of piracy and in the growth of trade. The traders created narrow relations with the big harbours (Alexandria, Istamboul, Odessa) the Eastern Mediterranean, where they founded also important colonies. Their economic independence from these activities is now visible in old mansions that are saved still in the villages of Santorini.
