The Cyclades: Discovering the Greek Islands of the Aegean (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781845111601)

The Cyclades are the quintessential Greek isles, renowned for the beauty of their seascapes, their historical monuments, and a unique way of life deeply rooted in the remote past of the Aegean. Over the course of more than 7,000 years the Cyclades have seen a succession of civilizations, the earliest of them perpetuated in legends such as that of Atlantis, which has been identified with volcanic Santorini. The islands are arrayed around their sacred centre on Delos, where Leto was said to have given birth to the divine twins Apollo and Artemis, children of Zeus. Dionysus was born on olive-embowered Naxos, where he fell in love with Ariadne, and myths relate that Poseidon was the protector of Tinos, whose mid-summer festival of the Virgin is celebrated with the folk-dances and songs for which the Cyclades are famous. In this comprehensive guide to the Cyclades, John Freely describes the immemorial past and timeless present of these enchanting islands, which still await discovery.

Author: John Freely
ISBN-10: 1845111605
ISBN-13: 9781845111601
Publisher: I. B. Tauris & Company
Language: English
Published: 06/01/2006
Pages: 264
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.62lbs
Size: 7.80h x 5.16w x 0.75d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 05/15/2006 pg. 118