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Naxos

Aegean island of the Cyclades, attacked by Persian fleets in 499 and 490 BCE

In the game: Level 7: Sardis Burns

Naxos was a rich Greek island in the central Aegean. Herodotus links a failed Persian attack on it in 499 to the outbreak of the Ionian Revolt. In 490 the fleet of Datis and Artaphernes came back and burned its town on the way to Eretria and Marathon.

In the game: The game mentions Naxos only in the event articles on the siege of Naxos and the expedition of Datis and Artaphernes. It has no level or mechanic of its own.

An island rich enough to tempt a governor

Ancient account

Herodotus says that Naxos was the most prosperous of the islands around 500. He says it had a large body of hoplites and many ships. He also says that wealthy Naxians, driven out by the people, went to Miletus and asked Aristagoras to help them return.

Herodotus 5.28-30

The expedition of 499

Ancient account

Herodotus says Aristagoras promised the satrap Artaphernes that Naxos could be taken cheaply and would lead on to other islands. Artaphernes obtained the King's consent and prepared a fleet of 200 ships under Megabates. Herodotus says Megabates quarrelled with Aristagoras and warned the Naxians, who brought in their property and stored supplies. The Persians besieged the island for four months, ran short of money, built a fort for the exiles and withdrew.

Herodotus 5.30-34

Cause of the revolt, or only a pretext

Disputed

Herodotus says Aristagoras feared punishment after the failure and chose to rebel. Modern historians accept that the attack happened but doubt that one private quarrel explains so large a rising. They also look to resentment of tyrants set up by Persia, tribute and trade, and the exact date of the siege is not certain.

Herodotus 5.35

Datis at Naxos in 490

Ancient account

Herodotus says that Datis sailed through the Aegean towards Eretria and Athens. At Naxos the inhabitants fled to the hills. The Persians enslaved those they caught and burned the sanctuaries and the town. The fleet then went on to Delos, where Herodotus says Datis spared the sanctuary.

Herodotus 6.95-97

What the sources do not give

Ancient account

No Persian inscription or tablet known to the compilers describes either attack on Naxos, so the story rests on Herodotus, who wrote from the Greek side a generation or more later. How much damage the island suffered in 490 is therefore uncertain. Herodotus also lists Naxian ships among those that served in 480, and says they went over to the Greeks.

Herodotus 8.46