During the Greek War of Independence Samos bore a con spicuous part, and it was in the strait between the island and Mt. Mycale that Canaris blew up a Turkish frigate, in the presence of the army assembled for invasion. The enterprise was abandoned and Samos held its own to the end of the war. On the con clusion of peace the island was, indeed, again handed over to the Turks, but since 1835 held an exceptionally advantageous position, being in fact self-governed, though tributary to the Turkish em pire, and ruled by a Greek governor nominated by the Porte, who had the title of "Prince of Samos," and was supported and con trolled by a Greek council and assembly. The prosperity of the island bore witness to the wisdom of this arrangement, but did not prevent annexation to Greece when the political situation allowed it.
The ancient capital was on the south coast, at the modern Tigani, directly opposite to the promontory of Mycale. A natural cove, dominated by a low hill, has been converted by ancient and modern breakwaters into a safe port for small vessels. Be hind the modern town rises a steep enclosing ridge, Astypalaea, crowned by Polycrates' wall, and perforated by his aqueduct. From this city a road led about 4m. W. to the Temple of Hera, whose site, close to the shore, is still marked by a single column, which has given to the neighbouring headland the name of Capo Colonna. Though so little remains standing, German excavators have revealed its massive foundations.
The modern capital of the island was, until recently, at Khora, about 2M. from the sea and from Tigani, but in the 19th century the capital was transferred to Vathy, on the north coast.
Samos was the birthplace of Pythagoras, the philosopher (q.v.) whose name and figure are found on coins of the city in imperial times. It also produced a school of sculptors beginning with Rhoecus and Theodorus, who are said to have invented the art of casting statues in bronze. Rhoecus was also the architect of the Temple of Hera. Another famous Samian sculptor was Pythagoras, who migrated to Rhegium. The vases of Samos are among the most characteristic Ionian pottery in the 6th century. The name Samian ware, often given to a kind of red pottery found in Roman settlements, has no scientific value ; it is derived from a passage in Pliny, N .H. xxxv. . i6o sqq.