delos

Delos is a Greek island in the Cyclades, located in the central Aegean Sea near Mykonos. It is part of the South Aegean region and today largely serves as an archaeological site and protected area, with the island largely uninhabited in modern times.

In Greek mythology, Delos is the birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis. The island was considered sacred from early times and developed into an important religious center, with sanctuaries, temples, and a busy cult complex that drew pilgrims from across the Aegean.

In classical antiquity, Delos also grew as a major commercial hub. The Sanctuary of Apollo and the Sacred Way attracted worshippers and merchants, and the island functioned as a significant trading port in the eastern Mediterranean. From the 7th to the 2nd centuries BCE, Delos flourished as a center of commerce and culture. The treasury of the Delian League was housed on Delos before being moved to Athens in 454 BCE, reflecting the rising power of Athens in the region.

The archaeological remains on Delos include the Terrace of the Lions, the Theatre, public baths, stoas, and numerous houses spanning the classical and Hellenistic periods. The site preserves an urban plan that reflects its function as a religious and commercial capital of the Aegean world at its height.

In late antiquity Delos declined and was eventually abandoned as a populated site. In the modern era it has been extensively excavated and documented, and in 1990 the Delos Archaeological Site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional testimony to ancient Greek religion, urban planning, and art.