Thasos

Thasos, the most northerly island in the Aegean Sea, near the coast of Macedonia. Area, 167 sq. m.; pop. 5200, almost exclusively Greeks. The surface is covered with high, wooded hills (Hypsaria, 3428 feet); indeed Archilochus' description is still applicable—'An ass's backbone overspread with wild wood.' Thasos exports some oil, honey, and timber. In ancient times it was famous for its gold-mines. It was colonised by the Parians, among them the poet Archilochus. It was subdued into obedience to Athens by Cimon (463) and Thrasylbulus (407).