THASOS, an island belonging to Turkey, situated oft the coast of Thrace, at a short distance from the mouth of the river Neetus or Karuou, and • little to the south-east of the Gulf of Kavallo. Volgaro, which is nearly in the centre of the island, is In 41' 45' N. lat., 21' 40' E. long.
Five generations before the time of the Grecian Hercules, Tbuos was peopled by Phceuicians, who came from Tyre in quest of Europa, led by Theses, son of Agenor, from whom. the inland is Bald to have taken its name. (Herod., ii. 44; Pausan., v. 25.) It was afterwards colonised by settlers from l'aros, among whom was Archilochus the poet, about is.c. 708. Thasos was enriched in very early times by the peuessiou of gold-mines in the island, and at Seapte Ilyle, on the opposite coast of Thrace. According to Herodotur who visited them, the most considerable were those which had been worked by the Phosieians on the north-east side of the island, the excavations fur which were very evident.
The Thulium, who were very rich, were besieged Ly Ilistimus of bdllem,' about m.o. 492, for a short time. In consequence of this attack, they built ships of war and strengthened their fortifications. They were reduced by blardonius, and compelled by Hering (si.c. 491) to throw down their walls and surrender their ships of war. (Hero doter, vi. 46.) On the expedition of Xerxes Into Greece, the honour of receiving big army in their continental territory was imposed upon them, and on this entertainment they expended 400 talents of silver.
vii. 118.) After the Persian war they became subject to Athens, from which they revolted s.c. 465. (Thucyd., i. 100.) Cimon, after defeating them at sea, took Thum after a three years' siege, nc. 463. The Thasiene were compelled to destroy their fortifications, to surrender their ships, to pay a large mum of money at the time and tribute for the future, and to give up their mince and settlements on the continent.
On the ascendancy of the party of Pisander at Athens, at the close of the Peloponnesian war, Diotrephes was sent by him to Thaws,' and established an oligarchy there. This injudicious policy furnished an immediate opportunity of revolting from Athens. The island, reduced by famine and civil war, was finally restored to the Athenians by Thiasybulue, s.c. 407. Subsequently the Thasians appear to have regained some of their continental possessions, and in ex. 359 they fortified Crenidee, probably as a frontier post for their Thracian territory: this was seized by Philip, son of Amyntas, Meg of Macedon, who placed a number of Macedonian settlers in it, and gave it the name of Philippi. Under his management its gold-mines were made
much more productive than before. When attacked by Philip V. king of Macedon, they submitted to him, with the stipulation that they should retain their own laws, and be exempt from garrison, tribute, or other burdens, ex. 202. (Polyb., xv. 24.) They were shortly afterwards released from his rule by the Romans, B.C. 197. Under the emperors Theses is styled Libera, or a free state.
The coins of Thasoa are very numerous. The most ancient generally represent a satyr carrying off a nymph ; on some are two fish. To these succeed massive coins in a good but rather heavy style, with a head of Bacchus on the obverse, and Hercules kneeling, shooting an arrow, on the reverse. The Thasiana originally worshipped the Tyriau Hercules, and afterwards the Grecian Hercules. The broad tetradraehms of the Macedonian period had the head of the young Bacchus, and Hercules on the reverse. These coins are abundant, and many of them with letters and type ill executed, are found in Transylvania.
The ancient town of Thasos is situated on the north coast of the island, and occupies three eminences. On the site are remains of the Greek walls, mingled with towers built by the Venetiane duriug their occupation of the island after the taking of Constantinople by the Latins. Near it is a large statue of Pan in a uiche in the rock, and upwards of fifty sarcophagi of white marble.
Thasos is nearly circular in shape, and has on area of about 85 glum miles. It is longest from north to south. In the northern and highest part of the island three peaks extend in a north-west and south-east direction. The iuhabltants, who are all Greeks, live iu nine villages—Volgaro, Cassawith, Sotiro, Kaikarahi, Moricas, Kastro, rotunda, Liman or l'anagia, and Theolog, the largest situated nearly in the 'Centro of the island. The ohief produce of this fertile island is oil, maize, fruit, honey, and timber; the last grows in great abun dance, and forms the chief article of export : the plane-trees in parti cular are of great size. In ancient times this island was celebrated for its wine, but little wine is now made here, and some is imported from Tenedos : the prineipal food of the inhabitants is maize. Largo herds of cattle and flocks of sheep are kept in the island; asses and mules are more used than horses on account of the steepness of the roads. The inhabitants are hospitable, industrious, and simple in their manners.
THA Tell AM. [BEaKsiae.)