DELOS, LITTLE DELOS

(37, 24’, N., 25° 17’ E.), island, smallest of Cyclades group, in Adgean Sea; birthplace and seat of worship of Apollo (‘Delois’) and Artemis (‘Delia’); believed to have been inhabited by Ionfans; later in po e ion of Athens. After fall of Corinth, 146 B.C., D. became center of commerce, and had large slave trade; noted for art, especially bronze works. City of Delos was situated on W. of island; contained temple of Leto, besides Great Temple and oracle of Apollo. D. was protected by sanctity; there was no need of fortifications; continued to flourish till destroyed, 87 B.C. during Mithridatic war. Here was kept the treasury of the Delian Contions since 1876. small town (originally called Pytho; modern Casitri), in Phocis, Greece; famous for oracle of Apollo, in charge of Pythian prieste ; situated on steep slope on 8. side of Mt. Parna us; shut in on N. by mts. Name is derived, either from eponymous hero, Delphus, or from Adelphos (brother), referring to twinks near by, between which i ued Bastalian spring. D. was governed by several aristocratic families of Doric origin, from which were chosen magistrates, priests, etc.; principal place of worship for Apollo, whose temple stood in N.W. of town; first built of stone; burnt in 548 B.C., and rebuilt with marble front. Its marvelous store of wealth tempted Xerxes, whose attempt at po e ion, however, was repelled; plundered, 350 B.C. by Phocians to carry on war against Thebes; robbed later by Sulla, Nero, and others.