Samos, Island

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Samos, an Island and City on the Coast of the Lesser-Asia over against the City Ephesus, in ancient times also called Parthenia, Anthemosa, Melamphylos, Dryusa, Cyparissa, Parthenyarusa, Stephane, Imbrisos and Imbrasia. The Samians maintained a long War against the Ephesians, who at last drove them out of their Country, where they were not setled again till a long while after; as also against the Athenians and the Milesians. In the LXXXIV Olympiad, about the Year of Rome 313, the Athenians, under the Command of Pericles, assisted the Milesians against the Samians their Enemies, who at first had the worst, but taking Courage from Pericles his Retreat, they avenged themselves upon the Athenians, stigmatizing the Foreheads of all those they took with an hot Iron. Some time after Pericles besieged Samos, and after nine Months Siege, forced the City to surrender at Discretion. It was at this Siege that Artemon of Clazomene first invented the use of Battering Rams and other warlike Machines proper for the taking of Cities. This Island was the Birth-place of Herophile called the Samian Sibyl, and of divers great Men, and amongst them Pythagoras the Prince of Philosophers. The City which in ancient time was Famous for a Temple of Juno, hath since been a Bishops See under the Archbishop of Ephesus. Aulus Gellius tells us that the Samians were the first Inventors of Earthen Vessels, their Island abounding with a sort of Clay very fit for that purpose. This Island is so Fruitful, that whatsoever is planted thrives in it. There is a second of this name on the Coast of Thrace now called Samandrachi. Aul. Gell.