The island of Delos

Delos is an island of Greece in the Aegean Sea. Of granite formation, it is one of the smallest of the Cyclades, with a small land area and a tiny population of mainly archaeologists. According to legend, the island floated until Zeus anchored it so that Leto could give birth to the twins Apollo and Artemis.

Objects that date from the early Bronze Age indicate that Delos has been inhabited since the 3d millennium. About the 10th century it was colonized by Ionians, who developed the cult of Apollo. Delos came under Athenian domination and served (478Ð54) as the treasury of the Delian League. A major commercial center, it was independent from 322 to 166, when it came under Roman rule. Excavations since 1873 have uncovered ruins such as sanctuaries, a theater, an agora, a stadium, and homes with mosaic courtyards. Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.