MANIKA
The early
foundation of Halkida is located 5km northeast, in Manika. The area flourished
between 2900 and 2300BC, due to the fashioning of metal. The enormity and the
organization of the settlement is surprising. Latter settlements developed and
after a time, they were united to make the city of Halkida at the location
where it still lays.
Halkida and
Eretria were two of the most significant cities of Evia. The important
locations of North Evia are considered to be Oreoi and Istiaea. Homer describes
Istiaea as ‘rich in vines’, due to the fertile plain Kalada (Ksirias). There
are two theories about these cities. The first is that Istiaea and Oreoi are
the same city during different periods, while others talk about two different
cities. Close to them there flourished another city, Athinae-Diades, which –
according to tradition – was built by Kekropas.
Kirinthos
is mentioned by Homer as one of the Greek cities that sent a fleet to the
Trojan War. Close to Kirinthos, three other cities prospered: Methoni, Trihi
and Orovies. The last one was known for the oracle of Apollo the
Cellery-bounded.
Also,
Elymnion and Aeges were known for the significant temple of Poseidon.
In South
Evia, we find Amarinthos with the temple of Artemis the Amarisias and farther
down lay Tamynae, Dystos and Kimi. The latter’s ancient location is not found;
it is suggested that there lays the legendary Oehalea. In the area of Karystia,
there flourished Karystos, Styra dna Geraestos.
THE END OF
THE KINGS
After the
death of king Amfidamantas of Halkida on the early 8th century, the
establishment of kingship ends and oligarchy takes over. The power comes to the
hands of Ippovotes – rich landowners. The same phenomenon occurs in Eretria.
That period, with the co-operation of the two cities, we have the first wave of
massive colonization.
COLONIZATION
On the 11th
century, Avades settled on Chios and the shores of Minor Asia. From the 8th
century, it is evident that the two largest cities of Evia co-operated in order
to make a successful settlement in their new establishment. The cape of Pallini
(Kassandra) was colonized by the Eretrians. The Halkideans colonized on
Sithonia, with thirty establishments, the most important of which was Olythos.
The oldest
settlement of Evia on the Italian peninsula dates back to the Mycenaean era.
Between 775 and 750BC, Kimi was founded. The people of Kimi colonized on the
three islands that lay on the cape of Napoli and created the settlements of
Kaprea, Pontia and Pandateira. On 730BC, they created Rigio in Calambria, the
southest edge of Italy, from where they became able to control the commercial
routes of the Western Mediterranean. At the same period, settlers from Halkida
along with the Kimeans of Campagna and other settlers from Evia founded Xagli.
During the end of the 6th century, the dwellers of Rigio and Xagli created
Ipponio on the Tyrrinean shores. Later, the settlers of Xagli were established
at Imera, which became a great commercial center and rivaled Carthagena.
On 734BC,
the Chalkideans founded Naxos on the eastern shore of Sicily. Six years later
the dwellers of Naxos founded Leontinous and then Catane. Colonies were also
created on the shores of Africa and Eastern Mediterranean.
THE
ALPHABET
The
Euboeans who colonized on Kimi of Campagna gave to the people of N. Italy the
Chalkidean or Evian alphabet, and also the art of working copper. It would not
be an exaggeration to suggest that the presence of the settlers became the
basis to the development of the Western European civilization.
LILANTION
PEDION
The
historian Stravon speaks of a quite curious agreement between the two opponents
which demonstrates the heroic spirit of that time. According to this agreement,
there was only permitted physical involvement in battle. The use of weapons
such as bows, arrows and catapults was banned.
HESIOD AND
HOMER
During the
fight for Lilantion Pedion, the Halkidean king Amphidamas fell. His sons and
his brother, Panides, arranged a poetry contest between the poets Hesiod and
Homer, to his memory. Hesiod won the prize, which he dedicated to the temple of
the Muses that is found in Helikon. They say that Homer’s poem was better but
it spoke of war. So the judges, tired of the long-term battles denied him the
prize.
UNTIL
BYZANTIUM
With the
Lilantean Wars, the two cities, Halkida and Eretria begin to decline. During
the Persian Wars, the Evian cities offered their help, while Eretria suffers
ultimate destruction due to the aid she offered to the cities of Minor Asia
against the Persians.
The
alliance between Halkida, Thebes and Sparta against Athens also has destructive
results for Halkida. This is the period when the class of ippovotes is lost.
There comes
also a time of revolutions against Athens, and an alliance with Thebes during
the battle at Leuktra.
In 334BC,
Halkida grows bigger and acquires a fort.
The
Macedoneans become its rulers and the Romans follow. During the time of
Justinian, a bridge and its fortification is mended. It is probably at that
time that the Old-Christian church of Aghia Paraskevi is built.
In 880BC,
the general Oeneates defeats the Saracens of Osman Amira, using the Greek Fire.
VENETIAN
OCCUPATION
In 1204,
after the fall of Constantinople with the IV Crusade, the Flemish knigh,
Zacques d’ Avence acquires the government of Evia. After his death during a
battle in 1209, Evia passes to the power of Bonifatio
Momferaticus. Evia is
divided in three parts and is given to three barons from Verona, who call
themselves Tritimores. Evia and Halkida are named ‘Negroponte’. That period,
there appears of the most mysterious men of history, a knight called Lycarios.
He was the one to free all Evia for a short time in the name of Byzantium.
The history
of Evia at that time is ultimately connected to the family adventure of the
Tritimores who ruled from 1205 until 1470, until the island was conquered by
Mohamed the Conqueror.
TURKISH
OCCUPATION
In 1470,
after a 28-day resestance, Mohamed the Conqueror takes control of Halkida,
losing 77.000 soldiers. Halkida drowns in its blood and the Venetian ruler
meets his death by sawing at the bridge.
Halkida
becomes the headquarters to the administration of ‘Egriboz’. Murozini attempts
to regain control, but he fails.
In 1821,
Evia revolts but four years later the revolution is brought to an end. However,
the city is liberated in 1833. Great figures that are distinguished in battle
are Aggelis Govios from Limni and
Kriezotis.
AFTER THE
LIBERATION
In 1830,
when the rest of Greece was already liberated from the Turkish occupation,
there come the protocols of London. The Turks are recognized as the legal
owners of the island, so the financially ruined Greeks have to pay for them in
order to get them back. What’s more, they have to meet the standards of the
rich Europeans who come to buy the wealthiest parts and become landowners. In
1833, Evia becomes a part of the Greek Government.
UNTIL TODAY
With the
eradication of the Greeks from Minor Asia, many immigrants settle in Evia, they
create new towns and villages and give a boost to the financial situation of
the island. During World War II, the Evian people resist against the German
conquerors. The end of the war finds Greece divided in two sides, and a civil
war follows
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