Lesbos

1050 BCE

Traditional founding of Eresos, likely as part of the Aeolian Greek colonization of Lesbos.

700 BCE

Neandria is founded by Aeolians from Mytilene.

650 BCE

Estimated foundation of Kolone, probably by settlers from Mytilene.

612 BCE

Death of Erinna of Telos in Mytilene.

600 BCE

Eresos, Kyme, Mytiliene, Methymna, Pitane, Eliaia, Larissa, Neonteichos, Aigai, Antandros, Temnos, Gryneion, and Smyrna become members of the Aeolian League, an association of Greek city-states in the region.

580 BCE

The poetess Sappho, born in Eresos, becomes active.

540 BCE

Eresos, along with Mytilene, Methymna, Pyrrha, and Antissa, fall under the influence of the Persian Empire during the reign of Cyrus the Great.

540 BCE

Mytilene recaptures Sigeion.

499 BCE

Eresos, Phokaia, Kaunos, and Gargara participate in the Ionian Revolt against Persian rule. The revolt fails, and Persian control over the area is reasserted.

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.

478 BCE

Delian League founded by Athens, with its regular meeting place at Delos. Ephesos, Phokaia, Gargara, and Eresos are members.

428 BCE

Antissa and Mytilene revolt from Athens during the Peloponnesian War. Athens forces both cities back into its orbit. Hamaxitos is taken from Mytilene.

428 BCE

Eresos, Antissa, Pyrrha, Mytilene, and Methymna, revolt against Athenian domination during the Peloponnesian War. The revolt is crushed by Athens, and Eresos is punished with the loss of its autonomy.

428 BCE

Athenians, needing money for a siege of Mytilene, attempt to take it from Carian cities but are attacked and defeated by soldiers of Anaia.

428 BCE

The fortifications of Pyrrha are reinforced by Mytilene.

427 BCE

Athens detaches Kolone , Ophrynion, and Larissa Ptolemais from Mytilene in punishment for their revolt.

424 BCE

Antandros is taken by exiles from Mytilene.

412 BCE
July

Eresos leaves Athens and joins Sparta in an unsuccessful attempt on Methymna.

408 BCE

The Athenians under Alkibiades sail from Mytilene and attempt to do battle with Kyme. When no one fights, they ravage the territory and return to Mytilene.

405 BCE

Lysander places garrisons in Eresos, Methymna, and Mytilene.

404 BCE

Peloponnesian War ends in an Athenian surrender, and as a result Adramytteion is ruled by Mytilene. Residents of Aegina are allowed to return to their island.

395 BCE

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

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.

371 BCE

The Athenian general Iphikrates flees to Antissa after falling out of favor with his father-in-law Kotys I.

346 BCE

Approximate year that the tyrant Kleommis takes control of Methymna.

337 BCE

Aristotle moves from the court of Philip II, where he was the tutor to Alexander III, to Mytilene, where his friend Theophrastos lives.

336 BCE

Parmenion and Attalos, generals of Philip II, take Lesbos, including Methymna and Mytilene.

335 BCE

Aristotle returns to Athens from Mytilene.

333 BCE

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

333 BCE

Memnon of Rhodes captures Methymna.

333 BCE

Autophradates and Pharnabazos III subjugate Mytilene.

333 BCE

Chares is given command of Mytilene by Autophradates, but he is forced to surrender it to the Macedonians.

333 BCE

Memnon of Rhodes dies during a siege of Mytilene.

332 BCE

Methymna is recaptured by Hegelochos, general for Alexander III.

230 BCE

Pyrrha is destroyed by an earthquake and according to Pliny is swallowed by the sea.

168 BCE

Antissa is destroyed by the Romans after defeating Perseus. Antissa had previously given supplies to one of his admirals. Its inhabitants move to Methymna.

156 BCE

Prusias II of Bithynia ravages the territory of Methymna.

129 BCE

Methymna allies formally with Rome.

84 BCE

Mithridates VI flees to Pitane to evade Gaius Flavius Fimbria, then moves on to Mytilene.

81 BCE

Lucullus undertakes the Siege of Mytilene. Julius Caesar serves with him.

56 CE

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