European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 25, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sacred Delos a Monument to the glories of Greece a by j. King Cruger Mediterranean Bureau Delos looks deceptively Bone Bare when approached from the sea. Only a few columns poking up from the scrub hint at the Island s fabulous past. The tiny Island 3 Miles Long and 1 mile wide was once the spiritual cultural and financial Center of the Aegean world. At one time the Island had 25,000 inhabitants. These Days Only lizards sheep and a few caretakers share the sacred Island s Serene isolation. Tourists Are permitted to visit the Island Only during the Day. A according to mythology Delos was the Birthplace of Apollo the Sun god and his sister Artemis. Apollo was among the greeks favourites and shrines erected to him on the Island became some of the most important in the greek world. Delos is at the heart of the Island group known As the Cyclades so called because the inner ring of the archipelago circles the sacred Island. The wealth and importance of the Island grew because it was a holy place it was shielded from attack and it was a natural stopping Point for ships sailing Between the greek Mainland and the shores of Southwest Asia. Archaeologists have found evidence of life on the Island As Early As 2000 ., and have unearthed relics showing a flourishing religious cult around 700  From the fourth Century  Onward Delos was the main Grain and slave port of the Aegean and for a while the common Treasury for the greek league against Persia. When the Island fell into the hands of the romans around 166 ., it became a free port and continued to Boom with great architecture Art and wealth. But the Good times did t last forever. Delos was sacked and its inhabitants massacred by King Mithridates of pontus in 88  The Island never recovered. Pilgrims stayed away pirates plundered and shipping moved elsewhere. By the Middle Ages Delos had become a ghost Island. Neighbouring islanders used the Marble and Stone marvels of Delos As a ready Supply of building materials. Until the Renaissance Delos Lay forgotten. Then the venetians rediscovered it a and carted off More treasure. Excavations on the Island were begun by the French in the Early 19th Century and continue today. Between 1902 and 1914, a Large part of the ancient City was unearthed Baring ancient monuments As Well As financial records Cut in Stone that help show the Island s financial Side. Today Delos is a great open air museum of Greece s past glories with ruins so imposing that they overwhelm visitors. The single most famous sight on the Island is the Terrace of the Lions a Row of marvelous Marble beasts along the path leading to the dried up sacred Lake. Other sights include stunning mosaic floors and Wall paintings found in the great houses of the theater District the ruins of the Amphitheater sitting on a Hill overlooking the Island several temples and shrines built to the gods and the remains of the Harbor and its warehouses. Hundreds of visitors Cross the Channel Between my Konos and Delos by boat every Day. The 45-minute ride it can be very rough when the winds Are blowing costs about $10 round trip. Admission to the excavations and the Island s museum costs $4. The Island is Only open to visitors Between 8 45 . And 3 . Tuesday through saturday and from 9 30 . To 2 30 . On sundays. The headless statues of two homeowners stand near the ruins of their House. The theater built in the third Century ., holds a prominent place on Delos overlooking the Harbor and islands beyond. 8 stripes Magazine july 25, 1991