Eubœa

Eubœa (ancient Euboia, Turk. Egripo, Ital. Negroponte), an island of Greece in the Ægean Sea, runs parallel to the mainland for 98 miles, its breadth varying from 30 miles at its widest part to barely 4 at its narrowest. Area, 1420 sq. m., or a little smaller than Suffolk. About midway along its west shore, near Chalcis, the strait (Euripus) separating Eubœa from the mainland contracts to 120 feet, and is spanned by two bridges, resting on a rocky islet in the middle. The island, which has its long axis disposed north-west and south-east, is traversed longitudinally by a chain of mountains, rising in the centre, in Mount Delphi, to an elevation of 5725 feet. Iron and copper occur in the mountains; and at Carystos, in the south of the island, the marble called eipolino, so largely used in the buildings of Rome, is quarried. Hot springs (sulphur) exist in the north. Although the east coast is steep and rocky, the west side of the island slopes gradually, and its pastures support numerous herds of swine, sheep, and goats, whilst the arable land produces wheat, oil, figs, and wine. Honey also is an important article of trade. The declivities of the mountains are covered with forests. The climate is salubrious. The chief towns are Chalcis (q.v.) on the west coast and Carystos (pop. 4119) on the south coast. Pop. of the island (1889) 103,442, mostly Greeks and Albanians. Eubœa was peopled in the early historic times chiefly by Thessalian tribes and by Ionic Greeks, and afterwards by colonists from Athens, who formed a number of independent cities or states. Of these the most powerful were the rival commercial cities of Chalcis and Eretria; and it is around them and their exploits that the history of the island for some centuries mainly concentrates itself. After the Persian wars, however, Eubœa was subjugated by the Athenians, under whose rule it continued till they, in their turn, were subdued by Philip of Macedon. By the Romans it was finally united with the province of Achaia under Vespasian. In 1351 it came into the possession of the Venetians, and received the name of Negroponte. In the year 1470 the island was taken by the Turks, in whose hands it remained till 1821, when the inhabitants rose to vindicate their independence at the call of the beautiful Modena Maurogenia. Subsequently (1830) it was incorporated in the kingdom of Greece.