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          Municipalities : 31

Cyclades are in the south of the Aegean Sea. It consists of 34 main islands : Andros, Tenos, Myconos, Renia, Delos, Naxos, Amorgos, Makronesos, Kea, Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos, Folegandros, Gyaros, Syros, Paros, Antiparos, Sikinos, Ios, Anafe.

History

Cyclades played an important historical role in the Aegean Sea and Mediterranean. Due to Cyclades geography - they are among the Mainland, North Africa and Minor Asia - they developed commerce and navigation, as well as the civilization. According to mythology Cyclades took their name after Cyclades, the Nymphs who Poseidon turned into rocks.

It is also said that they took their name after the word "Cyclos" ( Circle ), due to the high winds in the area which forced the ships to make circles. According to another mythological tradition, Cyclades are extended around Delos, the holy island of Apollo.

Cycladic Civilization (3200 - 1100 B.C. ). According to the findings (Kythnos 1972), Cyclades had been inhabited since the Mesolithic Era (7500-6500 B.C.). The people of the Neolithic Era were farmers and cattle - breeders. The inhabitants were Karew, Phoenixes, Leleges, all came from Minor Asia and moved in the area of Aegean Sea. They bring copper with them so as to make weapons, tools, and objects for everyday use. During the 3^rd millennium B.C. Cyclades developed a unigue civilization which is divided into three parts: the Protocycladic (3200 - 2000 B.C.), the Mesocycladic (2000 - 1550 B.C.) and the Postcycladic (1150 - 1100 B.C.).

Protocycladic Civilization (3200 - 2000 B.C.). The phases of this civilization were defined by the findings of the excavations. Pelos - Lakkoudes civilization (3200 - 2700) took its name after the sespective areas of Melos and Naxos. The inhabitants of this phase used to live in settlements by the sea. The most significant period of Cycladic Civilization is the one called Civilization of Keros - Seros (2700-2000 B.C.). It is the period of advancement. The inhabitants live in organized settlements, they are engaged in commerce, fishing and farming. They manufacture pots of differents shapes, tools, objects of everyday use which contribute to the development of the export trade. Undoubtedly, the most important products of the Cycladic Civilization are the statuettes, hundreds of which were found. They were made of transport marble taken from Paros, depicting female figures. There are of course male statoettes as well as others depicting mucisians. All of the exude vividness and srength. The features of theis feices were being painted which made them more expressive. They may depict goddesses, nymphs, heroes. They were probably put in the dead people. The third phase of the Protocycladic Civilization was called Fylakopi Palis 1. It is the period when Cyclades are gradually dominated by Crete.

Mesocycladic Civilization (2000 - 1330 B.C.). The influence of Minoan Crete becomes more intense, especially, on art.

Post cycladic Civilization ( 1550 - 1100 B.C.). After the explosion of Theras Volcano (1450 B.C.). Cyclades accept the domination of Myceneans when Dorians came down, they settled in Melos and Thera. The other cycladic islands are settled by Ions.

Submycenean and Geometric Period (1100 - 700 B.C.). After the settlement of Ions, Cyclades are developed again and found many colonies.

Archaic Period (7^th - 6^th cent. B.C.). It is the period of flourishing. The foundation of the colonies contributed to the development of commerce. The Cycladic products are traded all over Mediterranean. As a result, the economy flourished and the middle class goes up. The artistic workrooms are much wanted. Delos becomes the political and religious center.

Classical Times (5^th - 4^th cent B.C.).

During the Person Wars Cyclades underwent the domination of Persans byt they fought of Salamina (480 B.C.). Cyclades enter the Athenian Alliance in 478 B.C. During the Peloponnesian War (431 - 404 B.C.). Cyclades are on the side of Spartans. In 378 B.C. they enter the Athenian Alliance II.

Hellenistic and Roman Times (4^th cent. B.C. - 395 A.D.) Cyclades are dominated by Philip II after the battle of Heroneia in 338 B.C.. After the death of Alexander the Great, Cyclades flourish again. They were dominated by Rhodians and Ptolemains and finally by Romans in the 2^nd cent. B.C.. During the Roman times, all these islands, except Delos, fell into decline.

Byzantine and Mediaeval Times ( 395 - 1537 ). The typical of this period is the frequence of the piratic raids. In 1204, Cyclades come under Henry Dandulus of Venice, and are dominated by Latin dukes. During the Venetian domination many inhabitants were converted into Catholocism, especially in Syros, Tenos, Myconos, Naxos and Santorini. Catholic churches were also founded. In 1537 - 38, Cyclades were plundered by Hirentin Barbarosa. After 1617, the islands come under the Turkish domination, during which Cyclades become privileged. They are able to construct ships to stand up to pirates. In 1821, they contribute to the War of Independence.

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