Kythera Island: Difference between revisions
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{{Era|Locations}}{{WP-REAL|Kythira}} | {{Era|Locations}}{{WP-REAL|Kythira}} | ||
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[[File:ACOd-banner-Kythera.jpg|thumb|150px|The banner of | [[File:ACOd-banner-Kythera.jpg|thumb|150px|The banner of Kythera Island]] | ||
'''Kythera Island''', or simply '''Kythera''', is an arid [[Greece|Greek]] island located off the southernmost tip of [[Peloponnese]]. Its main settlement was | '''Kythera Island''', or simply '''Kythera''', is an arid [[Greece|Greek]] island located off the southernmost tip of the [[Peloponnese]]. Its main settlement was [[Kythera Town]], located in the central region of [[Pilgrim Hill]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
===5th century BCE=== | ===5th century BCE=== | ||
During the 5th century BCE, the island kingdom was renowned for two principal things: its [[Temple of Aphrodite, Kythera|temple]] dedicated to | During the 5th century BCE, the island kingdom was renowned for two principal things: its [[Temple of Aphrodite, Kythera|temple]] dedicated to Aphrodite, and the local trade of [[Tyrian purple]], a dye made from the {{Wiki|murex}} shellfish. The former attracted pilgrims from all across Greece while the latter was highly respected due to the immense labor required to produce it from the hundreds of thousands of shellfish caught. Because of this, Tyrian purple was highly coveted and its export was enormously profitable for Kythera, which came to be known as the "Home of the Tyrian Purple".<ref name="Kythera Town">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – [[Historical Locations#Kythera|Kythera: "Kythera Town"]]</ref><ref name="ACOd">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey''</ref><ref name="Arid Islands: Kythera Island" /> | ||
During the [[Peloponnesian War]], Kythera was coveted by the [[Athens|Athenians]], and they occupied it for most of the conflict, taking advantage of its proximity to [[Lakonia]] to raid the | During the [[Peloponnesian War]], Kythera was coveted by the [[Athens|Athenians]], and they occupied it for most of the conflict, taking advantage of its proximity to [[Lakonia]] to raid the [[Sparta]]ns' home.<ref name="Kytheran Banner" /> | ||
===Renaissance=== | ===Renaissance=== | ||
After the [[Fourth Crusade]] the island came under the dominion of the [[Republic of Venice]]. In 1519, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] led a group of Assassins to found new bureaus across Europe and beyond following clues left by Leonardo da Vinci.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Last Quest of Leonardo da Vinci]]''</ref> | After the [[Fourth Crusade]], the island came under the dominion of the [[Republic of Venice]]. In 1519, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] led a group of [[Assassins]] to found new [[Assassin bureau|bureaus]] across [[Europe]] and beyond following clues left by [[Leonardo da Vinci]]. One of the new bureau locations was on the island.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Last Quest of Leonardo da Vinci]]''</ref> | ||
==Culture== | ==Culture== | ||
Both the mythical as well as the commercial facts were abundantly clear on the emblem | Both the mythical as well as the commercial facts related to Kythera were abundantly clear on the island's emblem during the [[Peloponnesian War]]: a stylized white {{Wiki|Columbidae|dove}}, the sacred bird of the goddess Aphrodite, standing on a field of Tyrian purple.<ref name="ACOd">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey''</ref><ref name="Kytheran Banner" /> | ||
==People== | ==People== | ||
[[File:ACOd-Kythera-Aphroditeworshippers.jpg|thumb|250px|People worshipping Aphrodite on Kythera]] | [[File:ACOd-Kythera-Aphroditeworshippers.jpg|thumb|250px|People worshipping Aphrodite on Kythera]] | ||
The people of the island, especially sailors and fishermen, were avid worshipers of Aphrodite and often prayed her to watch over them in the surrounding waters, known for being tricky to navigate.<ref name="Altar of Aphrodite">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – [[Historical Locations#Kythera|Kythera: Altar of Aphrodite]]</ref> | The people of the island, especially sailors and fishermen, were avid worshipers of Aphrodite and often prayed to her to watch over them in the surrounding waters, known for being tricky to navigate.<ref name="Altar of Aphrodite">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – [[Historical Locations#Kythera|Kythera: Altar of Aphrodite]]</ref> | ||
==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
Kythera Island had a dry climate, but | Kythera Island had a dry climate, but the island was still littered with flowers, as they grew in abundance near water sources, and were spread all around in celebration of Aphrodite.<ref name="ACOd" /> | ||
Unified in its dedication of Aphrodite, Kythera Island was separated into three regions, with [[Aphrodite's Watch]] keeping an eye on the pass that separated the island from [[Peloponnese]], the [[Pilgrim Hill]] consisting of the [[Pilgrimage Site|site]] of the pilgrimage and the road that led up to the [[Temple of Aphrodite, Kythera|Temple of Aphrodite]], and the [[Skandeia Bay]] | Unified in its dedication of Aphrodite, Kythera Island was separated into three regions, with [[Aphrodite's Watch]] keeping an eye on the pass that separated the island from the [[Peloponnese]], the [[Pilgrim Hill]] consisting of the [[Pilgrimage Site|site]] of the pilgrimage and the road that led up to the [[Temple of Aphrodite, Kythera|Temple of Aphrodite]], and the [[Skandeia Bay]] housing both [[Skandeia Harbor]] and the island's [[Skandeia Treasury|treasury]].<ref name="ACOd" /> | ||
In addition, the [[Chytra Atoll]] was also considered part of Kythera.<ref name="ACOd" /> | In addition, the [[Chytra Atoll]] was also considered part of Kythera.<ref name="ACOd" /> | ||
==Behind the scenes== | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
In both ''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' | In both ''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' and [[Ubisoft]]'s own [https://assassinscreed.ubisoft.com/game/en-us/odyssey/ site], the island is given the epithet "Home of Tyrian Purple", referencing the rare and expensive dye.<ref name="Arid Islands: Kythera Island" /> | ||
Historically Kythera's association with Aphrodite exists due to the transmission of the cult of Astarte that began on the island during the Early Archaic Age, when Kythera was originally colonized by the {{Wiki|Phoenicia}}ns. | Historically, Kythera's association with Aphrodite exists due to the transmission of the cult of Astarte that began on the island during the Early Archaic Age, when Kythera was originally colonized by the {{Wiki|Phoenicia}}ns. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
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==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' {{1st}} | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Last Quest of Leonardo da Vinci]]'' | *''[[Assassin's Creed: The Last Quest of Leonardo da Vinci]]'' | ||
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{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{ACOD}} | {{ACOD}} | ||
{{ACLQLDV}} | |||
[[Category:Islands of Greece]] | [[Category:Islands of Greece]] | ||
[[Category:Mediterranean islands]] | [[Category:Mediterranean islands]] | ||
[[Category:Regions of Greece]] | [[Category:Regions of Greece]] | ||
Revision as of 19:30, 3 May 2026
|
Ezio, my friend! How may I be of service? This article has a lot of room for expansion. Please improve it with additional information in accordance with the Manual of Style |
Kythera Island, or simply Kythera, is an arid Greek island located off the southernmost tip of the Peloponnese. Its main settlement was Kythera Town, located in the central region of Pilgrim Hill.
History
Mythology
According to the legends, Kythera was where the goddess Aphrodite first stepped on land, and the city of Kythera was the first to welcome her.[1][2][3]
5th century BCE
During the 5th century BCE, the island kingdom was renowned for two principal things: its temple dedicated to Aphrodite, and the local trade of Tyrian purple, a dye made from the murex shellfish. The former attracted pilgrims from all across Greece while the latter was highly respected due to the immense labor required to produce it from the hundreds of thousands of shellfish caught. Because of this, Tyrian purple was highly coveted and its export was enormously profitable for Kythera, which came to be known as the "Home of the Tyrian Purple".[4][5][3]
During the Peloponnesian War, Kythera was coveted by the Athenians, and they occupied it for most of the conflict, taking advantage of its proximity to Lakonia to raid the Spartans' home.[2]
Renaissance
After the Fourth Crusade, the island came under the dominion of the Republic of Venice. In 1519, Ezio Auditore da Firenze led a group of Assassins to found new bureaus across Europe and beyond following clues left by Leonardo da Vinci. One of the new bureau locations was on the island.[6]
Culture
Both the mythical as well as the commercial facts related to Kythera were abundantly clear on the island's emblem during the Peloponnesian War: a stylized white dove, the sacred bird of the goddess Aphrodite, standing on a field of Tyrian purple.[5][2]
People
The people of the island, especially sailors and fishermen, were avid worshipers of Aphrodite and often prayed to her to watch over them in the surrounding waters, known for being tricky to navigate.[7]
Geography
Kythera Island had a dry climate, but the island was still littered with flowers, as they grew in abundance near water sources, and were spread all around in celebration of Aphrodite.[5]
Unified in its dedication of Aphrodite, Kythera Island was separated into three regions, with Aphrodite's Watch keeping an eye on the pass that separated the island from the Peloponnese, the Pilgrim Hill consisting of the site of the pilgrimage and the road that led up to the Temple of Aphrodite, and the Skandeia Bay housing both Skandeia Harbor and the island's treasury.[5]
In addition, the Chytra Atoll was also considered part of Kythera.[5]
Behind the scenes
In both Assassin's Creed: Odyssey and Ubisoft's own site, the island is given the epithet "Home of Tyrian Purple", referencing the rare and expensive dye.[3]
Historically, Kythera's association with Aphrodite exists due to the transmission of the cult of Astarte that began on the island during the Early Archaic Age, when Kythera was originally colonized by the Phoenicians.
Gallery
-
Kythera Island -
-
-
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: The Last Quest of Leonardo da Vinci
References
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Kythera: Shrine of Aphrodite
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece – Kythera: "Kytheran Banner"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Worlds: Arid Islands, Kythera Island. Ubisoft. Accessed 18 June 2018.
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Kythera: "Kythera Town"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: The Last Quest of Leonardo da Vinci
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Kythera: Altar of Aphrodite
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