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Amorgos
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Amorgos (ΑΜΟΡΓΟΣ in Greek) is the
easternmost island of the Greek Cyclades island group. It is the closest
island of the Cyclades to the neighboring Dodecanese. The area is 121 kmē and
the population is about 1,800.
Due to the position of Amorgos across from ancient beaches of Ionian towns,
such as Militos, Alikarnasos and Efessos, it became one of the first places
from which the Ionians passed through to the Cyclades Islands and onto
mainland Greece. The existence of three independent cities with autonomous
constitution and the same currency, which have been preserved to this day, the
size and artistic works of the walls surrounding the city of Arkesini, the
ancient towers to which skeletons were raised to this day all over the island,
the ancient tombs, the stone tools, the inscriptions, the vases and other
antiquities are all powerful proof of the size of the ancient civilisation of
Amorgos. Amorgos is also known as Yperia, Patagy, or Platagy, Pagali, Psichia,
and Karkisia. Part of the island is named Aspis, where the ancient temple of
the Goddess Aphrodite stood. From the name Minoa we suspect that from ancient
times Amorgos had been colonised by the Cretans. Also, according to Suidan and
from inscriptions, Samians inhabited the island under the leadership of
Simmias. With the passing of time the islands name changed to Amolgon,
Amourgon, Amorgian, and Amourgian. After the 5th century you can also find the
name Amoulgos from Bishop Theodore who signed a Synod in Constantinople, as
Theodore the Bishop of Parion, Sifnion, and Amoulgion. Skilax mentions it as
Tripoli (the circumnavigation of the Cyclades Islands).
The names of the three cities given by Stefanos Vizantios are Arkesini, Minoa,
Aigiali or Melania where according to inscriptions, are the more correct. The
three towns are on the island's east coast because only there you can find the
right bays and natural ports that could provide the proper positioning for
seaside towns and forts. Aigiali was on the north East Side of the island
close to the present day locations of Tholaria and Stroumvos and to this day
can still be found there. Whilst Minoa is situated at the centre of the
northern side close to the present day village of Katapola, and Arkesini close
to the present day lowland location Castri.
From excavations and findings, especially burial tombs we believe that the
presence of Amorgos during the prehistoric years existed intensely,
particularly during the first period of Cycladic civilisation (3200 to 2000
BC).
The island was featured in Luc Besson's film The Big Blue.
Settlements
Amorgos
Arkesini
Kalofata
Katapoli
Lefkes
Ormos Egialiou
Potami
Tholaria
Vourtsi
Other
Amorgos has a few schools, a lyceum (middle school), churches, a post office
and squares.
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