The history -- Istiaia - Oreoi - N. Pirgos - Pefki - Asminio - Avyaria - Galatsona - Gerakiou - Gouves - Agriovotano - Ellinika

Istiaia - Oreoi - N. Pirgos - Pefki - Asminio - Avyaria - Galatsona
Gerakiou - Gouves Agriovotano - Ellinika - Vasilika

History

The long history of Istiaia begins from the Late Stone Age, a settlement of which has been found in the area. At Oreoi a settlement and findings of the Early Hellinic, Middle Hellinic and Late Hellenic or Mikinaiki period, have been indicated. Homer mentions Istiaia as being one of the towns that took part in the Trojan campaign. He, in fact, calls Istiaia «Polistafilon» (many grapevines) because of the many grape vines growing in the area. According to evidence from Archaeological research, Ancient Istiaia must have been situated in the area of the Kastro, a hill east of todays Oreoi.

Archaeological Collection at Oreous which
includes important sculptures and ceramics
from the classical and Hellenistic Periods,
housed in the Local Council building

During the Greek - Persian war, in the area of the promontory of Artemisio, the Greek fleet established the freedom of Greece after a series of sea battles with the Persian Navy. After the defeat of the Greeks at Thermopiles the Greek fleet was forced to withdraw further south of Artemisio and the town of Istiaia was captured and plundered by the Persians who also raided the other nearby seaside communities.

After the end of the Greek - Persian wars, Istiaia become a member of the 1st Athennian Alliance, from which it rebelled in 446 B.C. together with the other Evia towns, Pericles, who campaigned against Evia, conquered Istiaia and treated the population very harshly. He exiled them from the town and distributed the land among Athenian settlers (allotment holders) who established Oreoi.

After the end of the Peloponesian War the Spartans campaigned against the tyrant who in the population of Oreoi. Their small campaigning army which the have provided for this purpose managed to capture the town after a siege and overthrow the tyrant.

However, during the period of Theban dominance, 2 theban galleys were defeated by the Spartan High Commissioner of Oreoi. The Thevan captives taking advantage of the laxity of the guards managed to escape and occupied the Acropolis of the town. Later on, the town rebelled against the Spartans and sided with the Thebans.

Istiaia become a member of the Second Athenian Alliance, from which it rebelled a again with the other Evian towns. During Macedonian rule the oligarchy from Oreoi, cooperated with Philip II and overthrew the democracy. With the assistance of the Macedonian army, Tyranny was established in Oreoi. However, thanks to the help of the Athenians, the tyrant was overthrown and the town became a member of the Federation of the «Council of Evia». The important geographical position of Istiaia attracted the attention of Rome and the town together with the rest of Evia was conquered by the Romans.

In the Middle Ages, Istiaia comprised an independent fendal state. Evidences of this period can be seen in the Byzantine fortification of the Castle of Oreoi and the Medieval towers at Neo Pirgos and Gouves. During the Turkish occupation, Istiaia followed the common fortunes of the rest of Greece. It had a separate administration and its population were harshly oppressed. Perhaps this is the reason why «Xirochori», as it was then called, was the first town to rebel in Evia on 8th May 1821. At a very critical time when the Greeks were struggling for their independence the area of Xirochori became the battlefield for civil clashes.

At the begging of this century in 1930 the area became well know because of the fine bronze statue which had been recovered from the depths of the sea at Artemisio. The statue is called «Poseidon of Artemisio» and represent the God of the sea at the moment he is preparing to throw his trident. Some people believe it is a statue of Zeus throwing a thunder - bolt. This statue cam be seen in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. At Oreoi, along the sea front, there is a marble bull (life size) from the 4th century B.C. Kept in a special glass case and which was recovered from the sea in this area. Another find is the statue of Hercules with a lion, dating from the 6th century B.C. which was found at Neo Pirgo and is kept in the Archaeological Museum Chalkida.

The area of Istiaia is of particular ecological interest, At the marshland of Megalo and Mikro Livari, there are many rare species of birds which constitute a very important eco - system.