Chios, Ionia - Ancient Coin Stories

Islands off Ionia. Chios
circa 190-84 BCE
Æ 11 mm, 1,20 g

In perhaps one of the most devastating decisions ever taken regarding the island of Chios, in 2023 I made the decision to not visit the island. Choosing between the different Greek island turned out to be a major task, and many other beautiful places such as Naxos had also been removed. In the end, we chose Kephallonia instead, but hope to have the opportunity to visit Chios another day.

Much of Chios’ history was tied with the mainland. It’s chief rival, Erythrai, was there. Chios, along with Erythrai, was also a member of the Ionian League. This is made clearer by the fact that several Ionian cities (including Chios) depict a sphinx on their coinage.

The sphinx, an animal with a lion’s body and a human head, was originally from Egypt (as any child should know from the famous Sphinx there), but was also used by the Greeks – most clearly in the story of Oedipus.

Per Mavrogordato, the sphinx was an emblem of Dionysos, though its usage here shows a connection with pre-Hellenistic cultures.

546 BCE

Aspendos and Chios come under Persian domination.

540 BCE

Maroneia is founded by settlers from Chios.

494 BCE

The Battle of Lade is fought between the Ionians under Dionysos of Phokaia and the Persians. Chios has the largest contingent, followed by Miletos, Lesbos (probably Mytilene), Samos, Teos, Priene, Erythrai, Myos, and Phokaia. Most fled during the battle, but the Chians put up a bold resistance before defeat.

479 BCE
August 27

The Persians are defeated at the Battle of Mykale. An alliance of Athens, Sparta, Samos, and Corinth. As a result, Chios, Kos, and Ephesos are liberated from Persian rule. The Greek fleet sets sail from Knidos.

412 BCE

Chios, Kalchedon, Erythrai, and Klazomenai revolt against Athens and is besieged until relieved by Sparta.

411 BCE

Chios sends ten vessels to Anaia in order to gain intelligence of Miletos and convince them to revolt.

411 BCE
May

Abydos convinced to defect from Delian league by Sparta. The Chians also convince Lebedos and Airai to defect.

395 BCE

Pharnabazos convinces Nisyros, Teos, Chios, Kos, Mytilene, Ephesos, and Erythrai to desert Sparta.

378 BCE

Theopompos, a historian credited with the most complete history of Philip II, is born on Chios.

377 BCE

Eresos, Byzantion, Chios,Mytilene, Methymna, Rhodes, Thebes, Korkyra, Eretria, Kios, Samos, Naxos, Andros, Myrina (Lembos), Hephaistia, Imbros, and Thasos join the Second Athenian League, reaffirming its alliance with Athens in response to the growing threat of Persian interference and internal Greek conflicts.

357 BCE-
355 BCE

Chios, Paros, Rhodes, Kos, and Byzantion revolt against Athens in the Social War. Myrina and Hephaistia on Lemnos and Imbros (Athenian allies) are ravaged and Samos is besieged. After bungling by the Athenian general Chares, Persia demands Athens leave and Athens, running out of money, complies.

333 BCE

Amathos under Androkles, Salamis, and Soloi in Cyprus submit to Alexander the Great after his victory over the Persian Empire at the Battle of Issos. Chios also comes under Macedon.

333 BCE

Memnon of Rhodes uses a Persian fleet to secure Chios, then Antissa, Eresos, Mytilene, and Pyrrha.

188 BCE

The cities that were loyal to Rome are given immunity by them. This includes Kyme, Mylasa, Klazomenai (who also received the island of Drymussa), Miletos, Ilion (who received Rhoition and Gergithos), Chios, Smyrna, and Erythrai.

88 BCE

The Roman general Lucullus convinces Kos and Knidos to defect to the Romans and join them against Samos. He also takes Chios easily and arrests the tyrant of Kolophon, Epigonos.

14 BCE

Herod I of Judea funds a stoa on Chios.

56 CE

Paul the Apostle and Luke the Evangelist stop at Mytilene after visiting Assos, then continue on to Chios.

155 CE

Chios suffers a destructive earthquake but is rebuilt with aid from the Roman Empire.