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This article is about the island called Naxos. You may be looking for the city.
ACOd-banner-Naxos

The banner of Naxos

Naxos Island is the largest of the Kyklades, located in the Aegean Sea of Greece. Its capital city is simply known as Naxos, or Chora, the Greek word for 'town'. The other notable settlement on the island is the village of Apollonas, born around the island's marble quarry.

The island was known for its white sandy beaches, emery, and its vast supply of pure white marble, which was highly sought after by sculptors and masons throughout Greece.[1] In spite of this, during the 5th century BCE the construction of the island's own temple of Apollo was begun, but never completed.[2]

While the island produced wine enough to export it, it was better known for its marble, used in the Sanctuary of Olympia as well as the Akropolis Sanctuary of Athens.[3]

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The banner of Naxos Island features a kantharos flanked by bunches of grapes, similar to the coins minted on Naxos, and referencing both wine as well as the island's general dedication to the god Dionysos.[3]

History[]

Mythology[]

According to Greek mythology, the Naxos Island was the birthplace of the god Dionysos[1] [3] as well as the Aloadai, the giant sons of the god Poseidon and Iphimedeia.[4] It was also on Naxos Island that the legendary hero Theseus abandoned the Kretan princess Ariadne, and where she subsequently died.[1][5]

Classical period[]

Some time prior to the Peloponnesian War, Myrrine, the daughter of King Leonidas I of Sparta, travelled to Naxos, where she became the island's oligarch.[6]

Naxos used to control both its neighboring island of Paros as well as the island of Andros, but Parians loathed this arrangement.[7] Eventually, under the command of Silanos, secretly a member of the Peloponnesian League branch of the Cult of Kosmos, the Parians gathered their strength and challenged Naxos.[8] With the help of the Spartans as well as the misthios Kassandra, Naxians led by Myrrine beat Silanos and his forces.[9]

Economy[]

Naxos produced emery, which was mined around Routsouna Waterfall.[10] There was also a marble quarry,[1] whence was quarried the marble Naxos was best known for.[2]

Geography[]

Naxos Island had fertile ground with white beaches, vivid green cypress trees, and clear, azure blue waters.[2] In the 5th century BCE, the island was divided into four regions largely referencing the island's mythical past:

[11]

Behind the scenes[]

While in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, Naxos Island given the epithet "Vineyard of Dionysos", on Ubisoft's own site, the island is named "White Marble Islands", referencing the marble production on the island.[2]

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Assassin's Creed: OdysseyNaxos: Naxos
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Worlds: Paradise Islands. Ubisoft. Accessed 18 June 2018.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Discovery Tour: Ancient GreeceNaxos: "Naxos Banner"
  4. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyNaxos: Cave of Iphimedeia
  5. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyNaxos: Deathbed of Ariadne
  6. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyAthens's Last Hope
  7. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyCatching Up
  8. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyA Mother's Prayers
  9. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyUnified Front
  10. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyThe Writing's on the Wall
  11. Assassin's Creed: Odyssey

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