Greek mythology shows a particular fondness for the island in the eastern Aegean, with its dramatic contrasts in natural terrain, deep wooded gorges, rugged landscapes, torrents, and hidden beaches with turquoise waters. There are various theories about the origin of the island's name. One theory suggests that the word Ikaria comes from the Indo-European root "kar," similar to the neighboring Caria in Asia Minor. The root is associated with rocky, steep places. Another ancient name for the island is "Doliche," meaning long, due to its elongated shape. Over time, the island has also been referred to by other names such as Oenoe, Ichthyossa, Anemoessa, and in the Byzantine era as Makri.
According to Greek mythology, the island is named Ikaria after the myth of the legendary Icarus, who gave his name to the Icarian Sea with his death.
Daedalus makes the wings so that Icarus can fly.
Pausanias writes that Daedalus escaped by constructing two small boats, one for himself and one for his son, and invented sails for the first time, so their pursuers could not catch them with oars. At some point, after a strong wind broke out, Icarus drowned. Heracles found his body, recognized him, and buried him on the island, which took his name, as did the sea. Finally, the name Ikaria is of Pelasgian origin because, in general, place names in Greece that begin with an "I" have pre-Greek roots from Pelasgian tribes, who were also the first inhabitants.
The inhabitants of the island are called Ikarians (Ikariotis for males and Ikariotissa for females). The name of the second port, Evdilos, comes from the words "ev" + "dilos," meaning a port that is easily visible from afar, approaching the northern side of the island.
Ikaria has significant connections to Dionysus, the god of the vine, festivity, and fertility beyond grains. Those who know modern Ikaria, its nature, and its festivals recognize in it the god of ivy, pine forests (Thyrsoi), goats (Pan, Sileni), improvisational musicians, and revelry.
Dionysus, the god of the vine, festivity, and fertility beyond grains.
The historian Theocritus considers Ikaria the homeland of the god Dionysus. Apollodorus mentions that Dionysus chartered the famous ship of myth from a coast of Ikaria to cross to Naxos. The Homeric Hymn to Dionysus mentions both Dracano (Eastern Ikaria) and wind-swept Ikaria as reputed places of Dionysus' origin, along with Naxos, the region of Alpheus, Thebes, and Mount Nysa. After all, the island was also known as Oenoe in ancient times: "Hail to you, Dionysus, whom Zeus placed in Dracano, snowy and mighty."
Mythology also tells of Icarian from the Attic deme of Icaria, who was the first person to whom Dionysus taught winemaking, and his slaves (or shepherds, according to another version) were the "first wine drinkers." The myth is didactic because when they got drunk drinking the strong pure wine of Icarian without eating, they went mad and killed him.
It is easy to connect Icarian's wine to the famous Pramnian Wine of Ikaria, which Homer mentions in both the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Asclepius' son is healed with a medicine containing Pramnian Wine, and the sorceress Circe uses it to make the "kykeon," the drink with which she metaphorically transformed shipwrecked sailors into animals. Aristophanes claims that the pure Pramnian Wine drives away woes. Plato also mentions it.
It is significant that these ancient references combine Pramnian Wine with goat cheese, golden honey, flour, and onion. It appears that Pramnian Wine was as strong as today's sun-dried Ikarian wine, which the inhabitants still preserve in jars, as the ancients did.
Thespis, the first tragic poet directly associated with Dionysus, comes from the Attic deme of Icaria, now known as Dionysus of Penteli.
Thespis, the first tragic poet.
Besides being the birthplace of Dionysus, Ikaria seems to have been a favorite residence of the goddess Artemis. Callimachus immortalized this divine favor with the following verses:
"... Which of the islands, what mountain pleases you most?
Which port, which city, which nymphs and heroes do you love?
Tell us, goddess, so I may sing to others,
for you love Doliche among islands, and Pergi among cities..."
Goddess Artemis.
Tradition says that the goddess, accompanied by the Nymphs, went hunting in Ikaria. Naturally, there was a temple in her honor at Nas, called the Tauropolio. Many place names on the island derive from the Nymphs, such as Arethousa village from the Nymph Arethousa,
Nymph Arethousa.
and Daphne from the Nymph Daphne.
Apollo ancient god and Nymph Daphne.
Nas is said to have been home to the Naiads, nymphs who accompanied Dionysus.
The ancient city of Thermes was renamed "Asclepieis" due to its healing springs, gaining pan-Hellenic character and recognition as "healers." The baths are considered the best in the world because of their radon content. The Artemis spring has the highest radon content of any flowing water source in the world.
Artemis spring at Therma Ikaria
Apollo is also linked to many island myths, such as the myth of Asclepius and Daphne.
Asclepius.
He is regarded as a healing god, and his name has been given to the Apollo Spring. In the worship of the Ikarians, Poseidon and Persephone held special places, as depicted on the island's coinage.
Ikaria is home to numerous caves of various types. Many of these caves have traces of worship ceremonies or archaeological findings, while others are associated with myths and traditions known to the island's elders: Cave of Katafygi in Katafygi village, under the Church of St. Nicholas; Cave of Protari in Glaredo village, under the Church of Prophet Elias; Cave of Halaris in Chrysostomos village; Sacred Cave in the Iero area in Faros; Drakospilo in Avgolimi, Perdiki; To Choutra's Raos near Petroupoli; Cave of the Impatient, the Crack of Time near Faros; Parathyri Cave in Chrysostomos village; Loukaraos in Droutsoula, and others that remain unexplored. Throughout Ikaria, scattered ruins from all periods can be found. The archaeological finds from excavations are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Agios Kirykos and the Museum of Kampos.
SOURCES: Wikipedia, Webnode, Asda, Nikaria.
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