During ancient times, Tinos was known as Ophioussa
(ophis = snake), because of the great quantity of snakes crawling on the soil of
the island, and Ydroussa (hydria = water places) because of its abundant water.
According to ancient Greek mythology, Poseidon, who was the island's protector,
chased the snakes away from the island and that was the reason he was highly
worshipped in Tinos. An important temple was even dedicated to
In 386 BC, the island became autonomous. The new independence didn't had the
time to flourish, because Tinos, in the same fate as all the other Greek
Islands, came under the authority of Philip of Macedonia.
After the death of his son Alexander the Great, the island became ruled by the
Egyptian Ptolemies, the successors of Alexander the Great.
In the 2nd century BC, Tinos,
During the Ottoman period the present-day capital began to developed,
concentrating shipping and commercial activities.
him (in Kionia).
Other Greece Islands:
• Zakynthos
Island
• Andros Island
• Karpathos
Island
• Corfu Island