Sámos

Sámos, island, south-east Greece, in the Aegean Sea, near the coast of Turkey. The island is mountainous, and the highest peak, Mount Kerketéus (ancient Cercetus), reaches 1,433 m (4,701 ft). Sámos is about 43 km (27 mi) long and 19 km (12 mi) wide, with an area of 505 sq km (195 sq mi). Products include wine, tobacco, olive oil, and citrus fruit. The capital of Sámos is Limen Vatheos, and the island's population (1981 preliminary) is 41,881.

In ancient times Sámos was famous as a commercial and shipping centre of the Aegean Sea. The island was celebrated also for its red, glossy pottery, which was imitated by the Romans in their so-called Samian ware. Subjected to Persian domination, Sámos joined the Ionian revolt against Persia in 499 bc and, following the battle of Mycale in 479 bc, was once again independent. In the same year it became a member of the Delian League. When Sámos revolted in 440 bc, it was defeated and reduced to the position of a vassal of Athens. During the Peloponnesian War (431-404 bc) between Athens and Sparta, the island proved a faithful ally of the Athenian democracy, serving as the headquarters of the Athenian fleet; in the later years of the struggle its privileges were restored. Sámos passed into the possession of Persia in 387 bc but was eventually reconquered by the Athenians in 366 bc.

For approximately 20 centuries the history of Sámos is obscure. It is believed to have become part of the Roman Empire and subsequently a Byzantine possession. It was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in ad 1550. In 1832 it became semi-independent; the administration was locally controlled but subject to the payment of a tribute to Turkey. Sámos passed entirely to Greece as a result of the Balkan Wars (1912-1913). In 1992 the island's fortified port , the Pythagoreion, and the temple of Heraion were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.