Chios History

In ancient times Chios was known as Pityousa and Makre, the island has been inhabited since pre-history.

Ionian colonists settled here in the 8th Century BC and 200 years later its culture had reached a high state. The Persian Wars caused it to be captured. Later it joined the Athenian League until it passed to Phillip of Macedon and Alexander the Great. After Alexander, his generals had control.

The Athenians enjoyed a long period of control over the island. Tradition is that Homer was born here in the 9th or 8th Century BC. Eventually the Romans took possession. During the Byzantine period it was the victim of pirate attacks. The Latin Emperors and the Venetians fought over Chios. In 1344, it passed to the Genoese, under whom it flourished due to its monopoly in the production of Gum Mastic.