| YAKINTHOS | ACCOMMODATION | HISTORY OF AXOS | IMPORTANT NOTES | GUESTBOOK | RATES | RESERVATIONS | CONTACT |
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History
of Axos That is obvious at the first glance, judging by the significant historical remains of the area. Extended archaeological research has revealed some vaulted tombs, the Acropolis, Aphrodite' s temple and ruins of the ancient town of Axos. In addition, the stone built Byzantine churches, artistically decorated with mosaics and fresco paintings prove the existence of Axos during the Roman and Byzantine period.
The town of Etearchos, the king of Oaxos, was founded at the Minoan times and flourished especially in the Late Minoan period. (13nth century- 395 BC)
Axos had been a wealthy, well-governed town, with cultural development and upper social status, well known all around Crete and Greece.
According to the ancient Greek legend, Axos was named after the king Oaxos, the son of Apollo and Akakalida, which was the daughter or the grandchild of the legendary king Minoas, as Stefanos Byzantios, Xenionas, the Latin writer Servious and Filosthenis say. Filosthenis mentions that Oaxos mother had been Anhialis the Nymph. In accordance with Filosthenis, Alexander Polhistor and Servious add that as Barron says the Anhialis Nymph gave birth to Idei Daktyli by hitting Oaxis with her hands while she was in labor.
Axos flourishing continues in Byzantine period (395 BC- 1204 AD)
in Venetian Dominion (1204- 1669 AD)
in Turkish Dominion (1669- 1898 AD)
Axos is the only ancient town in Crete that has kept inhabitants and cultural activities through centuries since prehistoric times. The archeological remains on the ground clearly prove the incessant existence of Axos through centuries.
The temple of Apollo, the Andrion (meeting place), the temple of Acropolis, the vaulted tombs of the Hellenistic period, the statue of Dimitra, and the 45 Byzantine churches (10 of them are restored), many inscriptions, coins, ceramics, cooper helmets and miters, fine art thoraxes are some of the archeological findings of the area.
Most of Axos findings are kept in museums in Crete, as well as in other countries and in private collections.
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