a|DT brief|JJ History|NN 

Prehistoric|NNP man|NN in|IN Asia|NNP Minor|NNP (|( now|RB modern|JJ Turkey|NNP )|) or|CC Greece|NNP could|MD look|VB out|IN across|IN the|DT Aegean|NNP toward|IN the|DT horizon|NN and|CC see|VB the|DT faint|JJ silhouette|NN of|IN land|NN .|. 
Their|PRP$ curiosity|NN pushed|VBD them|PRP to|TO build|VB vessels|NNS that|WDT were|VBD strong|JJ enough|RB to|TO ford|NN the|DT open|JJ seas|NNS and|CC reach|VB these|DT islands|NNS ,|, marking|VBG the|DT start|NN of|IN the|DT long|JJ legacy|NN of|IN Mediterranean|NNP seafaring|VBG .|. 

Around|IN 7000|CD b.c.|NN ,|, the|DT Phoenicians|NNP set|VBD out|IN from|IN what|WP is|VBZ now|RB Iran|NNP to|TO explore|VB their|PRP$ surroundings|NNS .|. 
They|PRP eventually|RB reached|VBD the|DT islands|NNS ,|, and|CC founded|VBD colonies|NNS on|IN the|DT islands|NNS in|IN the|DT northernmost|NN part|NN of|IN the|DT Aegean|NNP Sea|NNP .|. 
An|DT important|JJ early|JJ material|NN ,|, obsidian|NN ,|, was|VBD discovered|VBN on|IN the|DT island|NN of|IN Milos|NNP .|. 
Obsidian|NNP is|VBZ a|DT hard|JJ ,|, vitreous|JJ volcanic|JJ rock|NN ,|, which|WDT could|MD be|VB fashioned|VBN into|IN tools|NNS for|IN cutting|VBG and|CC stabbing|VBG .|. 
The|DT high|JJ quality|NN of|IN the|DT seam|NN on|IN Milos|NNP ensured|JJ that|IN the|DT area|NN remained|VBD popular|JJ with|IN early|JJ travelers|NNS .|. 

The|DT basic|JJ elements|NNS of|IN life|NN in|IN the|DT Aegean|NNP began|VBD to|TO come|VB together|RB as|RB early|RB as|IN 5000|CD b.c.|NN ,|, and|CC were|VBD already|RB in|IN place|NN by|IN the|DT late|JJ Bronze|NNP Age|NNP (|( c|SYM .|. 2700|CD b.c.|NN )|) .|. 
The|DT major|JJ changes|NNS were|VBD not|RB to|TO daily|JJ tasks|NNS and|CC routines|NNS ,|, but|CC to|TO the|DT political|JJ power|NN base|NN ,|, which|WDT changed|VBD regularly|RB and|CC not|RB necessarily|RB peacefully|RB throughout|IN the|DT ages|NNS .|. 

Cycladic|NNP Culture|NNP 

At|IN around|IN 3500|CD b.c.|NN ,|, a|DT sophisticated|JJ culture|NN evolved|VBD in|IN the|DT Cyclades|NNP islands|NNS .|. 
The|DT distinctive|JJ ,|, sculpted|JJ marble|NN figures|NNS of|IN the|DT era|NN are|VBP now|RB being|VBG reproduced|VBD in|IN vast|JJ quantities|NNS as|IN souvenirs|NNS .|. 
You|PRP will|MD find|VB original|JJ examples|NNS in|IN the|DT archaeological|JJ museums|NNS throughout|IN the|DT Cyclades|NNP ,|, although|IN one|CD of|IN the|DT earliest|JJS examples|NNS is|VBZ in|IN the|DT museum|NN on|IN Paros|NNP .|. 
The|DT people|NNS farmed|JJ and|CC fished|JJ ;|: on|IN the|DT dawning|VBG of|IN the|DT Bronze|NNP Age|NNP in|IN 2700|CD b.c.|NN ,|, they|PRP began|VBD to|TO work|VB with|IN metals|NNS .|. 
The|DT Cycladic|NNP culture|NN was|VBD influenced|VBN by|IN societies|NNS in|IN the|DT east|JJ ,|, importing|VBG the|DT pottery|NN wheel|NN from|IN Mesopotamia|NNP .|. 
They|PRP also|RB continued|VBD to|TO trade|VB in|IN obsidian|NN and|CC the|DT local|JJ marble|NN .|. 

The|DT Minoans|NNP and|CC the|DT Myceneans|NNP 

Farther|NNP south|RB in|IN Crete|NNP ,|, the|DT Minoan|NNP culture|NN developed|VBN after|IN 2000|CD b.c.|NN into|IN the|DT most|RBS significant|JJ of|IN its|PRP$ age|NN ,|, spreading|VBG its|PRP$ influence|NN throughout|IN the|DT region|NN by|IN trade|NN and|CC diplomacy|NN .|. 
Santorini|NNP (|( Thira|NNP )|) ,|, the|DT next|JJ major|JJ island|NN north|RB ,|, was|VBD heavily|RB influenced|VBN by|IN Crete|NNP ,|, and|CC the|DT settlements|NNS of|IN Thira|NNP and|CC Akrotiri|NNP thrived|VBD at|IN this|DT time|NN .|. 
The|DT magnificent|JJ frescoes|NNS and|CC mosaics|NNS found|VBD at|IN Akrotiri|NNP are|VBP in|IN Athens|NNP at|IN present|JJ ,|, but|CC the|DT remains|NNS of|IN the|DT buildings|NNS at|IN the|DT site|NN provide|VB ample|JJ evidence|NN of|IN the|DT sophistication|NN of|IN the|DT culture|NN here|RB .|. 

Around|IN 1500|CD b.c.|NN ,|, a|DT massive|JJ volcanic|JJ eruption|NN at|IN Santorini|NNP destroyed|VBD not|RB only|RB Akrotiri|NNP —|NN under|IN feet|NNS of|IN ash|NN and|CC pumice|NN —|NN but|CC the|DT whole|JJ Minoan|NNP civilization|NN .|. 
Massive|JJ tidal|JJ waves|NNS swept|VBD over|IN Crete|NNP ,|, and|CC other|JJ parts|NNS of|IN the|DT Mediterranean|NNP ,|, smashing|NN buildings|NNS and|CC drowning|VBG many|JJ thousands|NNS of|IN people|NNS .|. 

In|IN the|DT wake|NN of|IN this|DT tremendous|JJ natural|JJ upheaval|NN ,|, the|DT Aegean|NNP Islands|NNP next|RB came|VBD under|IN the|DT influence|NN of|IN the|DT Mycenaeans|NNP (|( at|IN around|IN 1300|CD b.c.|NN )|) ,|, who|WP had|VBD a|DT base|NN in|IN the|DT Peloponnese|NNP region|NN of|IN the|DT Greek|JJ mainland|NN .|. 
The|DT Mycenaeans|NNP were|VBD an|DT acquisitive|JJ race|NN who|WP came|VBD to|TO conquer|VB ,|, not|RB to|TO trade|VB .|. 
Their|PRP$ extensive|JJ military|JJ campaigns|NNS were|VBD later|RB chronicled|JJ by|IN Homer|NNP in|IN his|PRP$ epic|NN poems|NNS The|DT Odyssey|NNP and|CC The|DT Iliad|NNP .|. 

The|DT Rise|NN of|IN Athens|NNP 

The|DT Dorians|NNP ,|, who|WP came|VBD overland|NN from|IN northern|JJ Europe|NNP ,|, conquered|JJ the|DT Mycenaeans|NNP .|. 
They|PRP were|VBD a|DT barbaric|JJ race|NN ,|, and|CC their|PRP$ custody|NN of|IN the|DT area|NN brought|VBN about|IN a|DT dark|JJ period|NN during|IN which|WDT the|DT written|VBN word|NN was|VBD forgotten|VBN and|CC art|NN disappeared|VBD .|. 
They|PRP held|VBD sway|VB over|IN islands|NNS off|RP the|DT northern|JJ Greek|JJ coast|NN ,|, but|CC the|DT Phoenicians|NNP kept|VBD control|NN of|IN the|DT main|JJ sea|NN routes|NNS ;|: south|RB of|IN the|DT area|NN ,|, trade|NN continued|VBD as|IN usual|JJ .|. 
At|IN the|DT same|JJ time|NN ,|, city-states|JJ began|VBD to|TO grow|VB in|IN influence|NN on|IN the|DT southern|JJ Greek|JJ mainland|NN .|. 
Athens|NNP became|VBD the|DT most|RBS powerful|JJ ,|, heralding|VBG the|DT start|NN of|IN the|DT classical|JJ Greek|JJ period|NN .|. 
However|RB ,|, Greece|NNP was|VBD not|RB yet|RB a|DT country|NN ;|: each|DT city-state|JJ was|VBD self-governing|JJ and|CC autonomous|JJ .|. 

The|DT new|JJ culture|NN spread|VBD throughout|IN the|DT Mediterranean|NNP ,|, helped|VBN by|IN a|DT huge|JJ increase|NN in|IN migration|NN from|IN the|DT mainland|NN to|TO new|JJ settlements|NNS such|JJ as|IN Carthage|NNP ,|, a|DT Greek|JJ city|NN on|IN the|DT African|JJ coast|NN of|IN the|DT Mediterranean|NNP .|. 
Culture|NNP and|CC the|DT arts|NNS flourished|VBN once|RB again|RB .|. 
Athletic|NNP prowess|NN was|VBD admired|VBN and|CC the|DT Olympic|NNP games|NNS were|VBD constituted|VBD in|IN 776|CD b.c.|NN ,|, to|TO promote|VB friendly|JJ competition|NN .|. 
Homer|NNP wrote|VBD his|PRP$ epic|NN works|VBZ on|IN Chios|NNP ;|: and|CC lyrical|JJ poetry|NN was|VBD much|RB admired|VBN ,|, particularly|RB the|DT work|NN of|IN the|DT poets|NNS Archilochos|NNP on|IN Paros|NNP and|CC Sappho|NNP on|IN Lesvos|NNP .|. 

The|DT preeminent|NN islands|NNS of|IN this|DT era|NN were|VBD Delos|NNP ,|, a|DT sacred|JJ island|NN and|CC center|NN of|IN religion|NN ruled|VBN by|IN Athens|NNP ;|: Samos|NNP ,|, ruled|VBN by|IN the|DT tyrant|NN Polycrates|NNP ;|: and|CC Naxos|NNP ,|, whose|WP$ ruler|NN Lygdamis|NNP undertook|VBD some|DT major|JJ building|NN projects|NNS .|. 
Archaeology|NNP shows|VBZ that|IN ,|, during|IN this|DT time|NN ,|, societies|NNS lived|VBD mainly|RB in|IN coastal|JJ trading|NN towns|NNS with|IN little|JJ settlement|NN inland|RB .|. 

The|DT Persian|NNP Wars|NNPS 

As|IN Athens|NNP rose|VBD in|IN influence|NN and|CC power|NN in|IN the|DT West|NNP ,|, it|PRP was|VBD matched|VBN in|IN the|DT East|NNP by|IN the|DT rise|NN of|IN the|DT Persian|NNP Empire|NNP .|. 
From|IN a|DT power|NN base|NN in|IN Anatolia|NNP ,|, the|DT Persians|NNP overran|NN the|DT eastern|JJ Aegean|NNP Islands|NNP and|CC set|VBD their|PRP$ sights|NNS on|IN the|DT Cyclades|NNP .|. 
In|IN 490|CD b.c.|NN ,|, they|PRP captured|VBD sacred|JJ Delos|NNP and|CC razed|VBN the|DT settlements|NNS on|IN Naxos|NNP .|. 
The|DT island|NN communities|NNS were|VBD undecided|JJ about|IN which|WDT side|VBP to|TO back|VB for|IN a|DT time|NN .|. 
Paros|NNP and|CC Andros|NNP contributed|VBD to|TO the|DT Persian|NNP armory|NN ,|, while|IN others|NNS supported|VBD Athens|NNP .|. 
The|DT two|CD superpowers|NNS finally|RB clashed|VBN at|IN the|DT epic|NN battles|NNS of|IN Marathon|NNP and|CC Salamis|NNP in|IN 480|CD b.c.|NN 
The|DT Persians|NNP were|VBD defeated|VBN ,|, and|CC Athens|NNP duly|RB punished|VBN the|DT islands|NNS that|WDT had|VBD turned|VBN against|IN it|PRP .|. 

Following|VBG its|PRP$ victory|NN ,|, Athens|NNP introduced|VBD the|DT concept|NN of|IN a|DT mutual|JJ protection|NN alliance|NN (|( a|DT kind|NN of|IN NATO|NNP of|IN the|DT ancient|JJ world|NN )|) .|. 
Several|JJ islands|NNS and|CC Greek|JJ city-states|JJ agreed|VBD to|TO work|VB together|RB ,|, and|CC created|VBD a|DT treasury|NN to|TO fund|VB their|PRP$ plans|NNS ,|, which|WDT was|VBD held|VBN on|IN the|DT island|NN of|IN Delos|NNP .|. 
The|DT alliance|NN became|VBD known|VBN as|IN the|DT Delian|NNP League|NNP .|. 
Although|IN there|EX were|VBD minor|JJ internal|JJ wrangles|NNS ,|, the|DT league|NN controlled|VBD the|DT Aegean|NNP and|CC the|DT greater|JJR Athenian|JJ Empire|NNP for|IN most|JJS of|IN the|DT fifth|JJ century|NN b.c.|NN 
Later|RB ,|, in|IN 454|CD b.c.|NN ,|, the|DT treasury|NN was|VBD transferred|VBN to|TO Athens|NNP and|CC its|PRP$ deposits|NNS were|VBD used|VBN to|TO finance|VB the|DT construction|NN of|IN many|JJ of|IN the|DT major|JJ buildings|NNS and|CC temples|NNS of|IN the|DT Classical|NNP Age|NNP .|. 

In|IN 431|CD b.c.|NN ,|, Athens|NNP began|VBD a|DT war|NN with|IN its|PRP$ neighbor|NN and|CC league|NN member|NN Sparta|NNP .|. 
Although|IN the|DT islands|NNS saw|VBD little|JJ action|NN ,|, as|IN the|DT war|NN went|VBD on|IN they|PRP could|MD see|VB that|IN Athens|NNP was|VBD slowly|RB losing|VBG its|PRP$ power|NN .|. 
Before|IN the|DT end|NN of|IN the|DT war|NN in|IN 401|CD b.c.|NN ,|, many|JJ islands|NNS had|VBD already|RB transferred|VBN their|PRP$ allegiance|NN to|TO the|DT victors|NNS ,|, who|WP were|VBD led|VBN by|IN Philip|NNP II|NNP of|IN Macedon|NNP .|. 
He|PRP was|VBD followed|VBN in|IN 336|CD b.c.|NN by|IN his|PRP$ son|NN Alexander|NNP the|DT Great|NNP ,|, one|CD of|IN the|DT most|RBS remarkable|JJ leaders|NNS in|IN history|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ rise|NN to|TO power|NN ushered|VBD in|IN the|DT Hellenistic|NNP period|NN .|. 

Hellenistic|NNP and|CC Roman|NNP Periods|NNS 

When|WRB Alexander|NNP went|VBD on|IN to|TO conquer|VB lands|NNS as|RB far|RB to|TO the|DT east|JJ as|IN India|NNP ,|, the|DT Aegean|NNP became|VBD a|DT crossroads|NNS for|IN the|DT long|JJ trading|NN routes|NNS .|. 
Delos|NNP became|VBD one|CD of|IN the|DT largest|JJS marketplaces|NNS in|IN the|DT empire|NN .|. 
Following|VBG Alexander|NNP s|VBZ death|NN ,|, his|PRP$ lands|NNS were|VBD divided|VBN among|IN his|PRP$ generals|NNS .|. 
Much|JJ of|IN the|DT Aegean|NNP came|VBD under|IN the|DT rule|NN of|IN the|DT Ptolemies|NNP ,|, along|IN with|IN Egypt|NNP .|. 
Cleopatra|NNP was|VBD a|DT member|NN of|IN this|DT famous|JJ ruling|NN clan|NN .|. 

Although|IN in|IN 88|CD b.c.|NN ,|, Mithradates|NNP made|VBD a|DT swift|JJ and|CC successful|JJ raid|NN from|IN the|DT East|NNP across|IN Asia|NNP Minor|NNP and|CC the|DT Aegean|NNP Islands|NNP ,|, the|DT next|JJ major|JJ power|NN change|NN brought|VBD influence|NN from|IN the|DT West|NNP .|. 
The|DT Greek|NNP Hellenistic|NNP Empire|NNP was|VBD gradually|RB ,|, and|CC peacefully|RB ,|, absorbed|VBN into|IN the|DT Roman|NNP Empire|NNP .|. 

The|DT Byzantine|JJ Empire|NNP and|CC the|DT Coming|VBG of|IN Christianity|NNP 

The|DT Romans|NNP ruled|VBD a|DT pagan|NN empire|NN ,|, but|CC the|DT Aegean|NNP had|VBD an|DT important|JJ influence|NN on|IN the|DT early|JJ development|NN of|IN Christianity|NNP .|. 
In|IN a.d.|NN 95|CD ,|, St.|NN John|NNP arrived|VBD on|IN Patmos|NNP ,|, a|DT small|JJ rocky|JJ island|NN in|IN the|DT Dodecanese|NNP ,|, as|IN a|DT political|JJ prisoner|NN .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD here|RB that|IN he|PRP wrote|VBD what|WP was|VBD to|TO become|VB the|DT final|JJ book|NN of|IN the|DT New|NNP Testament|NNP ,|, the|DT Book|NNP of|IN Revelation|NNP .|. 
It|PRP wasn|NN t|NN until|IN a.d.|NN 330|CD ,|, however|RB ,|, when|WRB the|DT newly|RB converted|VBN Emperor|NNP Constantine|NNP made|VBD Byzantium|NNP ,|, renamed|VBD Constantinople|NNP ,|, capital|NN of|IN his|PRP$ Eastern|NNP Empire|NNP that|IN Christianity|NNP was|VBD assured|VBN of|IN its|PRP$ dominant|JJ role|NN in|IN future|JJ Greek|JJ life|NN .|. 

The|DT Byzantine|JJ Empire|NNP had|VBD powerful|JJ and|CC well-fortified|JJ cities|NNS ,|, but|CC the|DT countryside|NN and|CC the|DT outlying|JJ islands|NNS were|VBD ravaged|VBN by|IN waves|NNS of|IN invaders|NNS .|. 
In|IN an|DT attempt|NN to|TO counter|VB a|DT threat|NN from|IN the|DT Saracen|NNP Muslims|NNPS ,|, a|DT new|JJ potent|JJ religious|JJ force|NN from|IN the|DT East|NNP ,|, the|DT Byzantine|JJ army|NN forcefully|RB enlisted|VBD the|DT men|NNS of|IN the|DT islands|NNS .|. 
Disease|NNP took|VBD a|DT further|JJ toll|NN .|. 
By|IN the|DT time|NN of|IN the|DT Crusades|NNP ,|, many|JJ of|IN the|DT Aegean|NNP islands|NNS had|VBD been|VBN practically|RB depopulated|JJ .|. 

As|IN the|DT Byzantine|JJ Empire|NNP weakened|VBD at|IN the|DT end|NN of|IN the|DT first|JJ millennium|NN ,|, Crusader|NNP forces|NNS were|VBD sent|VBN from|IN Western|NNP Europe|NNP to|TO counter|VB the|DT Muslim|NNP forces|NNS and|CC retake|NN Jerusalem|NNP for|IN the|DT Christian|NNP faith|NN .|. 
Unfortunately|RB ,|, their|PRP$ zeal|NN was|VBD not|RB matched|VBN by|IN their|PRP$ discrimination|NN .|. 
The|DT crusaders|NNS swept|VBD through|IN the|DT l|NN ;|: and|CC of|IN Byzantium|NNP slaughtering|VBG Christians|NNS as|RB well|RB as|IN Muslims|NNPS ,|, civilians|NNS as|RB well|RB as|IN soldiers|NNS .|. 
Constantinople|NNP was|VBD taken|VBN by|IN Crusader|NNP forces|NNS in|IN 1204|CD ,|, and|CC they|PRP stripped|VBD the|DT city|NN of|IN manyof|NN its|PRP$ finest|JJS treasures|NNS —|NN which|WDT now|RB grace|NN the|DT public|JJ buildings|NNS of|IN Venice|NNP —|NN although|IN a|DT large|JJ consignment|NN of|IN books|NNS and|CC manuscripts|NNS was|VBD transferred|VBN to|TO the|DT monastery|NN at|IN Patmos|NNP before|IN the|DT city|NN fell|VBD .|. 

While|IN Byzantine|JJ land|NN was|VBD being|VBG divided|VBN ,|, there|EX was|VBD no|DT one|CD in|IN control|NN of|IN the|DT seas|NNS ,|, so|RB pirates|NNS raided|VBD towns|NNS on|IN many|JJ of|IN the|DT islands|NNS .|. 
To|TO counter|VB this|DT ,|, the|DT populations|NNS moved|VBD from|IN their|PRP$ homes|NNS on|IN the|DT coast|NN and|CC built|VBN settlements|NNS inland|RB ,|, out|IN of|IN sight|NN of|IN the|DT raiding|VBG parties|NNS .|. 
This|DT created|VBD a|DT pattern|NN seen|VBN today|NN throughout|IN the|DT Aegean|NNP of|IN a|DT small|JJ port|NN (|( skala|NN )|) which|WDT serves|VBZ an|DT inland|RB settlement|NN or|CC chora|NN ,|, making|VBG it|PRP easier|JJR to|TO protect|VB the|DT island|NN from|IN attack|NN .|. 

The|DT minor|JJ Aegean|NNP Islands|NNP were|VBD taken|VBN by|IN various|JJ powerful|JJ European|JJ noblemen|NNS ,|, many|DT of|IN whom|WP were|VBD Genoese|NNP or|CC Venetian|JJ ,|, such|JJ as|IN Marco|NNP Sanudo|NNP on|IN Naxos|NNP .|. 
The|DT noblemen|NNS had|VBD free|JJ rein|NN to|TO create|VB their|PRP$ own|JJ fiefdoms|NNS .|. 
The|DT Venetians|NNP fortified|VBN their|PRP$ main|JJ towns|NNS —|NN Naxos|NNP Town|NNP and|CC Antiparos|NNP Town|NNP are|VBP wonderful|JJ examples|NNS of|IN this|DT —|NN creating|VBG labyrinths|NNS of|IN narrow|JJ alleys|NNS and|CC cul-de-sacs|JJ that|WDT were|VBD designed|VBN to|TO confuse|VB and|CC to|TO demoralize|NN invaders|NNS .|. 
The|DT Genoese|NNP took|VBD control|NN of|IN the|DT eastern|JJ Aegean|NNP Islands|NNP ,|, which|WDT were|VBD considered|VBN the|DT most|RBS valuable|JJ for|IN agriculture|NN and|CC trade|NN .|. 

After|IN a|DT final|JJ bloody|JJ defeat|NN by|IN the|DT Muslims|NNPS in|IN 1309|CD ,|, Christian|NNP forces|NNS were|VBD forced|VBN from|IN the|DT Holy|NNP Land|NNP .|. 
The|DT Knights|NNP of|IN St.|NN John|NNP ,|, a|DT holy|JJ military|JJ force|NN ,|, made|VBD their|PRP$ way|NN to|TO Rhodes|NNP and|CC Kos|NNP in|IN the|DT Dodecanese|NNP .|. 
They|PRP began|VBD the|DT process|NN of|IN building|VBG their|PRP$ strong|JJ citadels|NNS ,|, and|CC reinforcing|VBG the|DT Christian|NNP faith|NN on|IN the|DT islands|NNS .|. 
However|RB ,|, they|PRP had|VBD not|RB seen|VBN the|DT last|NN of|IN their|PRP$ Muslim|NNP foe|NN .|. 
A|DT force|NN was|VBD gaining|VBG strength|NN in|IN the|DT east|JJ to|TO threaten|VB their|PRP$ new|JJ bases|NNS .|. 

The|DT Coming|VBG of|IN the|DT Ottoman|NNP Turks|NNPS 

The|DT Ottomans|NNP were|VBD roving|VBG invaders|NNS who|WP came|VBD from|IN the|DT east|JJ ,|, taking|VBG land|NN in|IN what|WP is|VBZ now|RB Turkey|NNP .|. 
By|IN the|DT end|NN of|IN the|DT 13|CD th|NN century|NN ,|, they|PRP began|VBD their|PRP$ first|JJ raids|NNS on|IN the|DT Aegean|NNP Islands|NNP .|. 
In|IN 1453|CD ,|, they|PRP took|VBD Constantinople|NNP ,|, and|CC immediately|RB made|VBN it|PRP their|PRP$ capital|NN ,|, renaming|VBG it|PRP Istanbul|NNP .|. 

They|PRP then|RB set|VBD their|PRP$ sights|NNS on|IN the|DT islands|NNS of|IN the|DT Knights|NNP of|IN St.|NN John|NNP and|CC ,|, after|IN an|DT unsuccessful|JJ siege|NN in|IN 1480|CD ,|, they|PRP finally|RB ejected|VBN the|DT knights|NNS from|IN the|DT Dodecanese|NNP in|IN 1522|CD .|. 
In|IN 1566|CD ,|, they|PRP wrested|VBN Chios|NNP from|IN the|DT Genoese|NNP ,|, bolstering|VBG their|PRP$ hold|NN on|IN the|DT eastern|JJ Aegean|NNP Islands|NNP ,|, but|CC the|DT Cyclades|NNP remained|VBD in|IN Venetian|JJ hands|NNS for|IN another|DT generation|NN or|CC more|JJR —|NN Tinos|NNP was|VBD the|DT last|NN to|TO fall|VB in|IN 1715|CD .|. 
The|DT Ottomans|NNP brought|VBD new|JJ influences|VBZ to|TO the|DT islands|NNS that|IN they|PRP controlled|VBD ,|, forming|VBG a|DT large|JJ empire|NN that|WDT stretched|VBD around|IN the|DT eastern|JJ Mediterranean|NNP .|. 

Toward|IN Greek|NNP Independence|NNP 

However|RB ,|, a|DT movement|NN was|VBD growing|VBG on|IN the|DT Greek|JJ peninsula|NN against|IN Ottoman|NNP rule|NN and|CC for|IN an|DT independent|JJ Greek|JJ state|NN .|. 
In|IN 1770|CD ,|, Russia|NNP came|VBD to|TO aid|VB the|DT Greeks|NNPS (|( defined|VBN by|IN their|PRP$ Orthodox|NNP religion|NN rather|RB than|IN by|IN historical|JJ geographical|JJ boundaries|NNS )|) ,|, declaring|VBG war|NN on|IN the|DT Ottoman|NNP Empire|NNP and|CC occupying|VBG several|JJ Aegean|NNP islands|NNS until|IN 1774|CD .|. 
Graffiti|NNP written|VBN by|IN Russian|JJ soldiers|NNS can|MD be|VB seen|VBN in|IN the|DT caves|NNS of|IN Antiparos|NNP .|. 

Although|IN this|DT attempt|NN was|VBD unsuccessful|JJ ,|, the|DT campaign|NN for|IN a|DT Greek|JJ state|NN continued|VBD into|IN the|DT 19|CD th|NN century|NN and|CC began|VBD to|TO grow|VB in|IN strength|NN .|. 
The|DT Aegean|NNP Islands|NNP played|VBD their|PRP$ part|NN .|. 
Lesvos|NNP ,|, Chios|NNP ,|, and|CC Samos|NNP lay|VBP in|IN the|DT important|JJ shipping|NN lanes|NNS ,|, and|CC patriots|NNS began|VBD disrupting|VBG Ottoman|NNP cargo|NN traffic|NN .|. 
In|IN return|NN ,|, the|DT Turks|NNPS violently|RB put|VB down|RP every|DT insurrection|NN ,|, including|VBG the|DT massacre|NN on|IN Chios|NNP ,|, when|WRB 22,000|CD people|NNS were|VBD slaughtered|VBN .|. 

The|DT Ottoman|NNP Empire|NNP was|VBD weakening|VBG ,|, however|RB ,|, and|CC in|IN 1821|CD ,|, the|DT peoples|NNS of|IN the|DT Greek|JJ mainland|NN achieved|VBD nationhood|NN for|IN the|DT first|JJ time|NN .|. 
The|DT Cyclades|NNP and|CC the|DT Sporades|NNP island|NN chains|NNS were|VBD also|RB included|VBN in|IN this|DT new|JJ state|NN .|. 
A|DT new|JJ sense|NN of|IN identity|NN enveloped|JJ Greek|JJ peoples|NNS throughout|IN the|DT Aegean|NNP ,|, thus|RB commencing|VBG a|DT movement|NN to|TO expand|VB Greece|NNP and|CC unify|VB the|DT disparate|JJ Orthodox|NNP populations|NNS .|. 

The|DT Twentieth|NNP Century|NNP 

A|DT series|NN of|IN disastrous|JJ decisions|NNS at|IN the|DT beginning|NN of|IN the|DT 20|CD th|NN century|NN began|VBD to|TO sound|VB a|DT death|NN knell|NN for|IN the|DT Ottoman|NNP Empire|NNP .|. 
The|DT Turks|NNPS lost|VBD a|DT short|JJ war|NN with|IN Italy|NNP ,|, and|CC were|VBD forced|VBN to|TO relinquish|VB the|DT Dodecanese|NNP islands|NNS to|TO the|DT Italians|NNPS .|. 
Greece|NNP took|VBD this|DT opportunity|NN to|TO absorb|VB the|DT islands|NNS of|IN the|DT northern|JJ and|CC eastern|JJ Aegean|NNP and|CC to|TO add|VB Macedonia|NNP to|TO its|PRP$ mainland|NN territories|NNS .|. 

Following|VBG this|DT debacle|NN ,|, the|DT Ottomans|NNP then|RB allied|VBD themselves|PRP to|TO Germany|NNP in|IN the|DT World|NNP War|NNP I|PRP ,|, losing|VBG more|JJR territory|NN with|IN the|DT defeat|NN of|IN the|DT Germans|NNPS in|IN that|DT war|NN .|. 
Greece|NNP was|VBD handed|VBN a|DT strip|NN of|IN land|NN along|IN the|DT western|JJ coast|NN of|IN Asia|NNP Minor|NNP ,|, which|WDT for|IN over|IN 2,000|CD years|NNS had|VBD had|VBD a|DT substantial|JJ Greek|JJ population|NN .|. 
Greece|NNP moved|VBD in|IN to|TO administer|VB the|DT land|NN ,|, but|CC a|DT new|JJ influence|NN upset|VBD any|DT grand|JJ dreams|NNS of|IN making|VBG this|DT region|NN a|DT part|NN of|IN greater|JJR Greece|NNP .|. 

In|IN 1923|CD ,|, Turkey|NNP broke|VBD away|RB from|IN the|DT tired|JJ Ottoman|NNP rulers|NNS ,|, and|CC Kemal|NNP Ataturk|NNP rose|VBD to|TO power|VB on|IN a|DT wave|NN of|IN popular|JJ support|NN .|. 
He|PRP promised|VBD a|DT modern|JJ state|NN for|IN his|PRP$ people|NNS ,|, but|CC as|IN the|DT situation|NN became|VBD volatile|JJ ,|, civil|JJ strife|NN broke|VBD out|IN in|IN Turkish|JJ cities|NNS ,|, and|CC those|DT considered|VBN Greek|JJ were|VBD victims|NNS of|IN threats|NNS and|CC violence|NN .|. 
Many|RB had|VBD to|TO leave|VB their|PRP$ birthplaces|NNS ,|, fleeing|VBG to|TO Lesvos|NNP ,|, Chios|NNP ,|, and|CC Samos|NNP ,|, the|DT Greek-ruled|NNP islands|NNS just|RB offshore|RB .|. 
Thousands|NNS of|IN people|NNS arrived|VBD with|IN little|JJ more|JJR than|IN the|DT clothes|NNS they|PRP wore|VBD ,|, putting|VBG great|JJ strain|NN on|IN the|DT resources|NNS of|IN the|DT islands|NNS .|. 
Finally|RB ,|, Greece|NNP was|VBD ousted|VBN from|IN its|PRP$ new|JJ territory|NN in|IN Asia|NNP Minor|NNP ,|, which|WDT became|VBD part|NN of|IN the|DT new|JJ Turkish|JJ state|NN .|. 

Greece|NNP attempted|VBD to|TO stay|VB out|IN of|IN World|NNP War|NNP II|NNP ,|, but|CC Mussolini|NNP saw|VBD Greece|NNP as|IN an|DT ideal|JJ addition|NN to|TO his|PRP$ Italian|JJ empire|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ forces|NNS made|VBD a|DT series|NN of|IN attacks|NNS from|IN their|PRP$ bases|NNS in|IN the|DT Dodecanese|NNP islands|NNS ,|, including|VBG sinking|VBG a|DT Greek|JJ naval|JJ vessel|NN in|IN the|DT harbor|NN of|IN Tinos|NNP Town|NNP ,|, but|CC they|PRP only|RB succeeded|VBD in|IN strengthening|VBG the|DT resolve|NN of|IN the|DT population|NN against|IN them|PRP .|. 
Later|RB the|DT Germans|NNPS came|VBD in|IN force|NN and|CC occupied|JJ many|JJ of|IN the|DT islands|NNS .|. 

After|IN the|DT war|NN ,|, in|IN 1949|CD ,|, the|DT Dodecanese|NNP islands|NNS finally|RB became|VBD part|NN of|IN the|DT Greek|JJ nation|NN .|. 
But|CC the|DT country|NN was|VBD politically|RB fragmented|VBN ,|, with|IN arguments|NNS between|IN monarchists|NNS and|CC republicans|NNS ,|, right|NN and|CC left|VBD ,|, and|CC tension|NN escalated|VBN into|IN civil|JJ war|NN .|. 
The|DT struggle|NN bypassed|JJ most|JJS of|IN the|DT islands|NNS ,|, although|IN there|EX was|VBD fierce|JJ fighting|NN on|IN Samos|NNP .|. 
Even|RB after|IN the|DT fighting|VBG stopped|VBN more|JJR than|IN a|DT decade|NN later|RB ,|, the|DT country|NN was|VBD not|RB stable|JJ .|. 

At|IN the|DT same|JJ time|NN ,|, the|DT massive|JJ growth|NN in|IN air|NN and|CC road|NN transport|NN saw|VBD shipping|VBG decline|NN in|IN importance|NN .|. 
The|DT Aegean|NNP Islands|NNP ,|, which|WDT for|IN centuries|NNS had|VBD been|VBN important|JJ ports|NNS on|IN the|DT trading|NN routes|NNS ,|, became|VBD the|DT backwaters|NNS of|IN this|DT new|JJ transport|NN network|NN and|CC the|DT economies|NNS of|IN several|JJ islands|NNS came|VBD close|RB to|TO collapse|VB .|. 

In|IN 1967|CD ,|, the|DT military|NN took|VBD the|DT reins|NNS of|IN power|NN in|IN Athens|NNP ,|, and|CC until|IN 1974|CD ,|, the|DT Colonels|NNP held|VBD sway|VB with|IN a|DT repressive|JJ and|CC brutal|JJ regime|NN .|. 
Many|JJ Greek|JJ islanders|NNS chose|VBD to|TO leave|VB rather|RB than|IN live|VB in|IN poverty|NN and|CC terror|NN ,|, and|CC many|JJ made|VBN new|JJ homes|NNS in|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS and|CC Australia|NNP .|. 
The|DT expansion|NN of|IN air|NN travel|NN began|VBD the|DT age|NN of|IN mass|NN tourism|NN ,|, and|CC Greece|NNP along|IN with|IN the|DT Aegean|NNP Islands|NNP became|VBD exciting|JJ destinations|NNS for|IN northern|JJ Europeans|NNPS escaping|VBG their|PRP$ damp|VB ,|, cool|VB summers|NNS .|. 

In|IN 1982|CD ,|, Greece|NNP joined|VBD the|DT European|NNP Common|NNP Market|NNP (|( now|RB the|DT European|NNP Union|NNP )|) .|. 
Since|IN this|DT time|NN ,|, membership|NN has|VBZ been|VBN of|IN great|JJ monetary|JJ benefit|NN to|TO the|DT country|NN .|. 
The|DT EU|NNP has|VBZ given|VBN large|JJ subsidies|NNS to|TO develop|VB Greece|NNP s|VBZ infrastructure|NN and|CC grants|NNS to|TO excavate|NN and|CC protect|VB its|PRP$ ancient|JJ monuments|NNS .|. 

Airfields|NNP have|VBP been|VBN constructed|VBN on|IN a|DT number|NN of|IN the|DT islands|NNS ,|, and|CC road|NN systems|NNS have|VBP been|VBN expanded|VBN and|CC im|NN proved|VBD .|. 
Private|JJ investment|NN has|VBZ even|RB made|VBN an|DT increasingly|RB modern|JJ ferry|NN fleet|NN possible|JJ .|. 

Politically|RB ,|, the|DT 1990s|NN have|VBP been|VBN relatively|RB quite|RB times|NNS for|IN the|DT islands|NNS ,|, although|IN the|DT divorce|NN of|IN Greek|JJ prime|JJ minister|NN Andreas|NNP Papandreou|NNP and|CC his|PRP$ subsequent|JJ marriage|NN to|TO a|DT much|RB younger|JJR woman|NN caused|VBD consternation|NN within|IN conservative|JJ Greek|JJ society|NN .|. 

As|IN the|DT Balkans|NNP flared|VBN to|TO war|VB once|RB again|RB ,|, Greek|JJ nationalism|NN has|VBZ stirred|VBD ,|, and|CC there|EX have|VBP been|VBN discussions|NNS in|IN the|DT kafeneion|NN about|IN the|DT land|NN of|IN Macedonia|NNP returning|VBG to|TO the|DT fold|VB of|IN its|PRP$ forefathers|NNS .|. 
Whether|IN this|DT will|MD ever|RB happen|VB remains|VBZ to|TO be|VB seen|VBN ,|, but|CC perhaps|RB the|DT aid|NN offered|VBN by|IN Greece|NNP to|TO Turkey|NNP after|IN 1999’s|NN devastating|JJ earthquake|NN is|VBZ a|DT sign|NN that|IN the|DT animosity|NN between|IN these|DT two|CD traditional|JJ enemies|NNS is|VBZ beginning|VBG to|TO diminish|VB .|. 

