A well-known saying says that this country has everything. This refers to Greece, one of the most ancient states in Europe, and legends and myths concern not only the mainland of the country, but also its numerous islands. For example, the history of the island of Rhodes, this pearl of the Mediterranean, keeps many secrets and mysteries that archaeologists of the future may be able to discover.
Origins - in the Neolithic
The history of the island of Rhodes, in short or in detail, must start from the Neolithic era. It is to this time that information about the first inhabitants belongs. Historians claim that even before our era, the island was controlled by Minoan Crete (16th century BC), then the Mycenaeans from the Peloponnese (8th century BC).
The tidbit was in the center of attention of distant and close neighbors, more than once encroaching on his freedom. Among the uninvited guests were the Persians, after whom the Athenians came. It was with their submission in 408 that the architect Hippodamus began building the island, moreover, according to the plan of regular building. There was another attempt to capture the island by the Persians, but this time Alexander the Great came to the rescue.
Heyday
The army of the famous commander not only brought freedom to the inhabitants of the island, after which the era of the highest prosperity begins. Great astronomers and orators live on the island. It is here that one of the seven wonders of the world appears - the Colossus of Rhodes, which, unfortunately, could not withstand the earthquake that occurred in 226 BC.
True, the period of prosperity is not complete without large and small wars for this blessed land. The island continues to become the arena of battle for different countries and peoples, among which we can note:
- the Arabs who seized the island in 672;
- Knights Hospitallers, whose reign begins in 1309;
- the Egyptians who tried to recapture the island from the knights in 1444;
- Ottoman Turks who attempted to capture Rhodes in 1480
Since 1572, the Ottoman period begins in the history of the island of Rhodes. The Turks ruled on the island almost until 1912, when during the Turkish-Italian war, these territories were acquired by Italy.
Island in the twentieth century
The battle for the island continues, until the Second World War, the island was controlled by the Italians. After the war, it falls under the British protectorate. In 1948, the island becomes part of Greece. The British took into account the merits of Greece during the war, as well as the moment that the inhabitants of the island themselves showed a desire for reunification with the Greeks. Today it is one of the most beautiful Greek islands with many attractions and monuments of world history.
