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The island
was first inhabited in the Neolithic Era. This is
proven by the stone tools and many clay pots that
were found in the settlements on Kolona hill and Messagros,
which were established by former inhabitants from
the Peloponnese. Around 2100 BC, at the time when
the powerful first- Helladic centre of Lerna was in
decline, a new population factor from the North appeared.
These Middle Helladic people settled in Aigina which
become a powerful outpost, defending Attica from sea
raiders, but failing to develop into a naval power
because of Minoan Crete's naval supremacy.
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The mountain
- dwelling Dryopians, the predominant element in the
population in the Late Helladic Era, founded a new
settlement at Oros in Aigina and it is said that they
have introduced the worship of Hellanian Zeus to southern
Greece.
In the end
of 13th century BC, Aigina took part in the 10-year
Trojan War, sending more ships than any other island
of the Argosaronic Gulf. During the end of the Mycenean
Era, Aigina, now great and powerful, was attacted
by the Mycheneans, who subjugated the inhabitants.
In the middle of 7th century BC, the Calaurian Amphictyony,
part of which became Aigina, appeared. At that time
the island had close commercial ties with Epidaurus.
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Around 650 BC, the spark of development was given
by the cut of the first silver coin in the Greek area,
which established the standards. Aigina developed
into a powerful economic and commercial center of
Greece and was distinguished for its fine pottery.
When, in the beginning of the 5th century BC, the
Persian fleet sailed into the Aegean Sea, Aigina offered
no resistance and voluntarily cooperated with the
Persians, to prevent her commercial dealings with
the ports of Asia Minor from being cut off. Aigina's
rise was stopped when the Athenian fleet dominated
the seas after the Persian Wars. When the Athenians
learned, in 459 BC, that the Aiginetans wanted to
ally themselves with the Corinthians, the two fleets
fought at Cecryphaleia.
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The
victorious Athenians forced the Aiginetans to
tear down their city walls and pay huge amount
of taxes each year. In the Peloponnesian War,
the Aiginetans, naturally sided with Sparti,
were attacked by 100 Athenian triremes.
After
the death of Alexander the Great, Aigina was
part of the Achaean and later the Aetolian League.
In 210 BC it was sold for 30 talents to the
King of Pergamon, Attalus, I.
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In Byzantine times the
island belonged to the Theme of Greece, and was a bishop's see.
During the 3rd century trade began to revive and its population
was increased by an influx of inhabitants from the surrounding
areas which were under attack by Goths and Herulians.
After the break - up of
the Byzantine Empire, Aigina was about to be given to the Venetians
but instead it was handed over to Galea Malatesta and then,
along with Karistos to the Frank Baron Ravano Della Carceri.
Since 1317 intermarriages
were taking place among the Catalans until 1451. The following
year, they voluntary became subjects of Venice out of fear of
Turks who had repeatedly attacked the island. The worst catastrophe
was caused by the terrible pirate Barbarossa, on October 1537.
The island was deserted. In 1540 the Turks and Venetians signed
a peace pact and Aigina was handed over to Turks.
On September 1654 the
island was under the occupation of Morozini. When the war in
Crete, between Turks and Venetians, was over, Aigina was passed
first to Turks and then, in 1687 back to Venetians. After 1800,
Palea Hora was abandoned and the inhabitants returned to their
original capital. In 1821, about 400 Aiginetans took part in
the battle against Turks. On November 11, 1826 it became the
seat of the administrative committee of A. Zaimis, and on January
12, 1928, Aigina was the seat of the government of Ioannis Kapodistrias,
which was recognized by the Great Powers and thus became the
temporary capital.
[ More about History
of Aegina ]
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