Timeline

Prehistoric times

11th millennium BC (End of the Paleolithic Period)

Prehistoric settlement of Ouriakos.

3.700 – 3.200 BC (Final Neolithic Period)

The first prehistoric settlement of Poliochni, laid out on the natural bedrock of a hill, without following any particular urban plan.

3.200/3.000 – 2.000/1.900 BC (Early Bronze Age)

Beginning of the first settlement phase of the prehistoric settlement of Koukonisi, which is structured around a main road with two residential areas.

3.200 – 2.800 BC (Early Bronze Age Ι)

Expansion of the settlement of Poliochni and reconstruction of buildings following the “megaron” type.

2.800 – 2.500 BC (Early Bronze Age Ι/ΙΙ)

The era marks the peak of the settlement of Poliochni with clear urban planning and the presence of fortifying constructions.

2.500 – 2.200 BC (Early Bronze Age Ι/ΙΙ)

The habitation area of the settlement of Poliochni is found to the south. The orientation of buildings indicates a defensive disposition. Continuous habitation of the area with rudimentary urban planning is also found at the prehistoric settlement of Myrina.

2.200 – 2.000/1.900 BC (Early Bronze Age ΙΙΙ/Middle Bronze Age)

A large fire broke out in Poliochni. As a result, the settlement is significantly reduced. At the end of this period, the settlement is almost entirely abandoned. Continuous habitation of the area with rudimentary urban planning is also found at the prehistoric settlement of Myrina.

2.000/1.900 – 1.700/1.650 BC

The settlement of Koukonisi goes through a flourishing period. New roads are constructed, and extensive residential areas are formed. At the end of this period, a strong earthquake hits the settlement, causing significant damage to the area.

2.000 – 1.700/1.600 BC (Early Bronze Age ΙΙΙ/Middle Bronze Age)

At the now abandoned Poliochni, few inhabitants return and settle among the ruins, mainly around the main plaza to the north of the settlement.

1.700/1.600 – 1.200 BC (Middle Bronze Age – Late Bronze Age)

Only a handful of portable findings are preserved from the last habitation phase in Poliochni which indicates rudimentary activity in the area until 1,200 BC. The few remains found in the area of Myrina also indicate rudimentary activity until 1,200 BC.

1.650 BC – 12th century BC (Late Bronze Age)

Backfilling, reconstructions, and formations take place in the prehistoric settlement of Koukonisi, with the older road network still in use. The earliest habitation examples in the area of Hephaestia make their presence to the south of the city, in the isthmus fortification location.

Archaic Period (750 – 480 BC)

Habitation indications in the cities of Hephaestia and Myrina (dipolis), as well as in the Sanctuaries of the Kabeiroi and of Artemis in the region of Avlonas.

Median Wars (513-479 BC)

Late Geometric/Archaic Period (8th century BC – 6th century BC)

The three archaic temples in the city of Hephaestia are dated: the Altar of the Great Goddess, the Altar below the theater cavea [koilon] and to the south, next to the city wall section.

7th century BC

The late Archaic Telesterion in the Sanctuary of the Kabeiroi, building remains to the west of the Telesterion, a retaining wall, and a drainage pipeline to the north-west of the Archaic building are dated. Indications of habitation of the Sanctuary of Artemis, in the region of Avlonas are also found.

6th century BC

Invasion of the Persian admiral Otanes and destruction of the Archaic Telesterion of the Kabeirion.

5th century BC

Construction of the ancient theater of Hephaestia.

513 BC

Darius’ military campaign against the Scythians. Occupation of Lemnos, Imvros and Samothrace by the Persian general Otanes.

510 BC – 509 BC

Occupation of Lemnos by Miltiades II. The island is now under the Athenian rule.

493 BC – 479 BC

During the Persian (Median) Wars, Lemnos is occupied by the Persians for the second time.

Classical Period (480 – 321 BC)

Habitation indications in the cities of Hephaestia and Myrina (dipolis), as well as in the Sanctuaries of the Kabeiroi and of Artemis in the region of Avlonas.

Athenian period (479-355 BC)

479 BC

Lemnos becomes an Athenian possession once again.

475 BC

The island became part of the Delian League.

450 BC

Installation of Athenian cleruchs in Lemnos.

431 BC – 405 BC

Peloponnesian War. Lemnos follows Athens during its military campaigns against Sparta.

405 BC

Defeat of the Athenians during the naval battle of Aegospotami between Athens and Sparta. End of the Peloponnesian War. Lemnos becomes a Spartan possession.

386 BC

Peace of Antalcidas between Spartans and Persians. Declaration of autonomy for Greek cities except for the islands of Lemnos, Imvros and Skyros which are handed to Athens.

357 BC – 355 BC

Allied war. Athenian naval force demise. Destruction of Lemnos and Imvros by the fleet of Chios, Rhodes and the Byzantines.

351 BC

Lemnos is under attack by Philipp II of Macedonia. A part of clerurchs is transferred to Macedonia (Chalkidiki).

346 BC

Peace treaty between Philipp II and the Athenians. Lemnos, Skyros, Imvros and Samothrace remain Athenian cleruchies.

321 BC

Death of Alexander the Great.

Hellenistic Period (321 – 196 BC)

Habitation indications in the cities of Hephaestia and Myrina (dipolis), as well as in the Sanctuaries of the Kabeiroi and of Artemis in the region of Avlonas.

321 BC – 207 BC

Lemnos is the subject of constant claims among the Epigones and the Athenians.

207 BC

Publius Sulpicius and Attalus, the king of Pergamum, send a fleet to Lemnos in order to destroy it.

196 BC

The Romans dominate the Greek territory and declare Lemnos free yet obliged to accept the Roman guard.

Roman Period (196 BC – 395 AD)

Habitation indications in the cities of Hephaestia and Myrina (dipolis), as well as in the Sanctuary of the Kabeiroi.

166 BC

Lemnos becomes an Athenian possession upon request of the Athenians to Rome.

146 BC

Lemnos becomes part of the Roman state.

267 AD – 269 AD

Raids by Goths and Heruli in the Greek peninsula. Destruction of Lemnos from raids.

313 AD

“Edict of Milan”, Christianity is recognized as a lawful religion by the Roman Empire.

325 AD

The Episcope of Lemnos, Statigios participates in the 1^st Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.

330 AD

Constantinople becomes the capital city of the Roman Empire.

395 AD

Division of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western.

Early and Middle Byzantine Periods (395 – 1204)

Habitation indications in the cities of Hephaestia and Myrina (dipolis), as well as in the Sanctuary of the Kabeiroi, and the castles of Myrina and Kotsinas.

5th century AD

The Sanctuary of the Kabeiroi is abandoned definitively.

7th century

Lemnos becomes a strategic naval base. Installation of state shipyards in the island.

843 AD

Establishment of the Naval Administration Region of the Aegean.

900 – 901 AD

Leo of Tripoli, chief of a Muslim fleet, occupies Lemnos on behalf of the Abbasid Caliphate.

912 AD – 959 AD

During the reign of the emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, Lemnos is integrated in the Naval Administration Region of the Aegean. In terms of administration, it is bound to Constantinople.

922 AD

The Byzantine admiral Rhodinus defeats Tripolitus once and for all off the shores of Lemnos.

1023 AD

Russian raids in Lemnos.

12th century (early)

Fortifying walls are built in Myrina.

1136 AD

The Bishop of Lemnos, Michael grants an area in the location of Kokkino to the Venetians to build a church.

1173 AD

A Venetian fleet docks in the islands of Lemnos, Chios, Lesvos and Skyros.

1186 AD

The construction of the Castle of Myrina began during the years of Andronikos I Komnenos.

Francocracy (1204 – 1261)

Habitation indications in the castle of Myrina and Kotsinas.

1204 AD

Conquest of Constantinople by the Franks.

1207 AD – 1214 AD

Filocalo Navigajoso from Venice occupies Lemnos and establishes the Navigajosi dynasty, under jurisdiction of the Frank-occupied Constantinople. New fortification works in the island and construction of Kotsinas Fortress.

Late Byzantine Period (1261 – 1453)

Habitation indications in the castles of Myrina, Kotsinas and Moudros.

1261 AD

Michael VIII Palaiologos reclaims Constantinople.

1277 AD

Paolo Navigajosi, the last Duke of the Navigajosei dynasty, dies. Their reign lasted for more than 70 years on the island.

1277 AD – 1279 AD

Licarius, admiral of the Byzantine Empire besieges and captures Lemnos.

1279 AD – 1453 AD

Lemnos is once again part of the Byzantine state. Looting from Venetians and pirates.

1453 AD

Conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans. Constantine XII offers Lemnos to Justiniani from Genoa.

Post-Byzantine Period (1453 – 1821)

Indications of habitation in the castles of Myrina, Kotsinas and Moudros, as well as in Tsas fortress.

1453 AD – 1456 AD

Lemnos passes into the hands of the Genoese Gattilusi who are liable to taxation by the Ottoman Turks.

1457 AD

Lemnos is occupied by the Latins.

1459 AD – 1464 AD

Lemnos is occupied by the Turks. Latins withdraw from the island.

1464 AD

Georgios Dromokaitis occupies Palaiokastro and it becomes an object of negotiation with the Venetians, despite opposition from the inhabitants of Lemnos. The Venetian Alvise Loredano occupies the castle and the island. An early summarized literature reference is compiled about the Castle of Moudros.

1468 AD

11 Turkish pirate ships attack the island.

1469 AD

Turkish pirates plunder the Kotsinas Castle.

1470 AD

Mahmud Pasha attacks Lemnos. Occupation of all fortresses except for the ones in Palaiokastro and Skala.

1478 AD

Suleiman Pasha attacks Lemnos. Siege of Kotsinas. The local heroine Maroula defends the castle of Myrina.

1479 AD

Lemnos is handed to the Turks according to the “Venice – Turkey” peace treaty. The inhabitants of Lemnos are able to move freely per the treaty terms.

1645 AD

The Venetian-Turkish war breaks out (1645 AD – 1669 AD).

1647 AD

Great famine in the Aegean islands. Lemnos is one of the islands that suffer the least.

1669 AD

Occupation of Chandax. End of the Venetian-Turkish war.

1684 AD

Beginning of a new Venetian-Turkish war (1684 AD – 1699 AD).

1698 AD

Dolphino, the extraordinary chief of the Venetian fleet, plunders Lemnos.

1717 AD

Naval battles between Venetians and Turks in the region of Lemnos.

1768 AD

Beginning of the Russian-Turkish war (1768 AD – 1774 AD).

1766 AD

Strong earthquake in Lemnos.

1770 AD

Construction of the Russian Tsas fortress in Myrina. Siege of Palaiokastro by the Russians (from July to October). The Russian fleet withdraws and the Greek population is slaughtered by the Turks.

1771 AD – 1773 AD

Pirate raids in Lemnos (Moudros), Lesvos, Chios and Asia Minor.

1774 AD

Signing of the “Kucuk – Kaynarca” treaty. Contribution to the economic recovery of the island’s inhabitants.

1787 AD

Start of a new Russian-Turkish war (1787 AD – 1792 AD). The recruitment of Turks results in slaughtering and plundering in Lemnos, Thessaloniki, Irakleia and Constantinople.

1806 AD

Start of a new Russian-Turkish war (1806 AD – 1812 AD). The Russian fleet with Saniavin sails in the northern Aegean. Islands with Turkish garrisons such as Lemnos, Chios, Rhodes etc. are declared hostile.

1821 AD

Greek Revolution. Lemnos does not participate officially.

Modern History (1821 – 1912)

Construction of Agios Georgios church in Repanidi.

Mid-19th century

Construction of Agios Georgios church in Repanidi.

1829 AD – 1830 AD

“Treaty of Adrianople” (recognition of the Greek state by Turkey, establishment of borders): Lemnos and Crete remain Turkish territory as an exchange for Euboea by the newly formed Greek state.

1837 AD

Pirate activity in Lemnos.

1853 AD

Start of the Crimean war (Turkey – Russia). Formation of Greek volunteers corps.

1854 AD

Signals from Kranidion volunteers are sent to Lemnos in order to raise the citizens.

1884 AD

Strong earthquake in Lemnos (May 14^th).

1894 AD

British fleet in Moudros.

1902 AD

Strong earthquake in Lemnos (November 8^th).

1912 AD

The Greek fleet conquers Lemnos. End of Turkish rule. Liberation of Lemnos.