Lemnos

Abstract

As a rule, it is extremely difficult to distinguish the boundary between legend and history. In the case of Lemnos, however, this difficulty does not arise chiefly owing to a lack of material, as very little is known about the early days of the island, and, as far as our knowledge goes at present, the first date in its history is B.C. 512. At this time it was still independent, and though, no doubt, Athenians lived in the island, there was no official connection between Lemnos and Athens. Athens was at war with Persia, and Darius sent Otanes, who was in command of the Persian forces on the sea coast of Asia Minor, on a punitive expedition. As a result of the invasion of Thrace and Macedonia by Megabazus, Lemnos with several of the other Aegaean islands came under the Persian rule; but the islanders did not surrender without a struggle and put up a very gallant fight.