The First Mentions – Ancient Lindos History in Greek Myth and Early Records

Homer and the Iliad – Lindos as a Warrior City

The first mention of Ancient Lindos History comes from Homer’s Iliad (8th century BCE). In this epic, Lindos is one of the three great cities of Rhodes that sent warriors to fight in the Trojan War.

Homer’s reference suggests that Lindos was already a powerful naval force in the Bronze Age, laying the foundation for its future maritime dominance.

Herodotus – The Father of History on Lindos’ Origins

Herodotus (5th century BCE) provided one of the earliest historical records of Lindos. He described its founding by the Dorians and its key role in the Dorian Hexapolis, an alliance of six powerful city-states.

Herodotus also recounted a naval battle near Lindos in 490 BCE, when the city defended itself against Persian invaders—a defining moment in Ancient Lindos History.

Pindar’s Olympian Ode 7 – The Island That Rose from the Sea🎶

The great lyric poet Pindar (5th century BCE), in his 7th Olympian Ode, describes the mythological origins of Rhodes, the island where Lindos, Ialysos, and Kamiros would later flourish.

According to Pindar, when the gods divided the world among themselves, they forgot about Helios, the Sun God, because he was away on his celestial journey. Furious at being left without land, Helios demanded justice. Zeus offered to redo the division, but Helios refused, for at that moment, a new island—Rhodes—was rising from the sea, destined to be his own.

This myth symbolized Rhodes’ divine favor and its strong connection to the sun, which influenced its art, religion, and identity. Lindos, as one of Rhodes’ main cities, inherited this sacred bond with Helios.

The Golden Age of Lindos – A Power in the Aegean

Thucydides – Lindos and the Balance of Power

Thucydides, the great historian of the Peloponnesian War, wrote about Rhodes’ shifting alliances between Athens and Sparta. He described Lindos as a strategic naval city, ensuring its survival by aligning with the dominant power of the time.

His accounts show how Lindos, despite being a small city, played a major role in Aegean politics and warfare.

Diodorus Siculus – The Wisdom of Kleoboulos

Diodorus Siculus, writing in the 1st century BCE, highlighted Kleoboulos of Lindos, a philosopher-king and one of the Seven Sages of Greece.

Kleoboulos was said to have rebuilt much of Lindos, expanding its Acropolis and Temple of Athena, solidifying its place in Ancient Lindos History.

Strabo – The Geographer’s View of Lindos

Strabo, a 1st-century BCE geographer, described Lindos as a fortified city with steep cliffs and an imposing Acropolis.

He noted that pilgrims and traders from across the Mediterranean visited Lindos, proving it was not just a military stronghold but also a center of commerce and faith.

Lindos Under the Romans – A City of Declining Power but Lasting Fame

Pliny the Elder – The Wonders of Lindos

Pliny the Elder, a Roman writer, mentioned Lindos’ colossal statue of Athena, describing it as one of the finest works of Greek sculpture.

Though Lindos’ political power had declined, Pliny noted that travelers still came to witness its ancient wonders.

Pausanias – The Last Glimpse of Ancient Lindos 🏛️

Pausanias, writing in the 2nd century CE, saw Lindos as a city of fading influence but enduring religious significance.

Even as Rhodes became part of the Roman Empire, pilgrims, scholars, and merchants continued to visit Lindos, ensuring its place in Ancient Lindos History.

Lindos Then vs. Lindos Now – How Much Has Changed?

While the Lindos of today is no longer a military power, much of its historical essence remains.

• The Acropolis still dominates the skyline, just as described by Strabo.
• The Temple of Athena Lindia, though partially in ruins, continues to attract visitors and worshippers alike.
• The whitewashed Old Town, once filled with Greek philosophers, Roman scholars, and sea captains, still welcomes modern travelers from around the world.

The words of Homer, Herodotus, and Pliny remind us that Lindos was once one of the great cities of the ancient world—and today, we can still walk the same streets and admire the same views as those who wrote about it centuries ago.

Conclusion

For over 2,500 years, Lindos has remained a city of wonder, strength, and spiritual significance. Ancient writers saw it as a place of power, wisdom, and divine connection—a reputation that still lingers today. Whether you’re standing on the Acropolis, exploring its ancient streets, or gazing at the same horizon once admired by Greek and Roman travelers, you are experiencing Ancient Lindos History firsthand.