Naxos

Largest of the Cyclades, midway between s. Greece and Asia Minor; 20 m. by 14; despoiled by Persians 490 B.C.; held by Athens 466 B.C., by Venice 1206, by Turks 1566-1828. Pop. ab. 15,000. Nazarenes. Jewish Christians who denied the nece ity of the Mosaic Law for Gentile believers, though observing it themselves; opposed to the Ebionites, who made Christianity a mere feeder of Pharisaism.