Paros
（
Πάρος). An island in the Aegaean Sea, one of the larger
of the Cyclades, was situated south of Delos and west of Naxos, being separated from the
latter by a channel five or six miles wide. It is about thirty-six miles in circumference. It
was inhabited by Ionians, and became so prosperous, even at an early period, as to send out
colonies to Thasos and to Parium on the Propontis. In the first invasion of Greece by the
generals of Darius, Paros submitted to the Persians; and after the battle of Marathon
Miltiades attempted to reduce the island, but failed in his attempt, and received a wound of
which he died. (See
Miltiades.)
 |
|
Coin of Paros.
|
After the defeat of Xerxes, Paros came under the supremacy of Athens, and shared the
fate of the other Cyclades. The most celebrated production of Paros was its marble, which was
extensively used by the ancient sculptors. It was chiefly obtained from a mountain called
Marpessa. Paros was the birthplace of the poet Archilochus.
In Paros was discovered the celebrated inscription called the
Parian Chronicle (q.v.). The modern name of the island is Paro. See
Becker, De Paro Insula (1868).
