History lesson from Mum

Got a nice email from me Mum with some interesting history about the islands of the Cyclades that we are visiting. I haven't really waited to get permission to repost this, but I wanted it in chronological order before writing about Mykonos (where we are now). Enjoy!

Santorini
It was the Santorini explosion which put paid to the power of Cretan King Minos by creating such a tidal wave that it wiped the Aegean side of the island off the map and destroyed their powerful navy as well as causing Minos's palace to fall in on itself, undermined as it was by the network of tunnels and storerooms under the palace. The bellowing of the Minotaur was probably nothing more than the sound of the earthquake! Once you see the size of the caldera you can understand something of the magnitude of the tidal wave. Naturally the power vacuum left was quickly filled by the Minoans' understudy, Mycenae. With true modesty they built their fortified citadel as you saw and spawned a couple of bellicose kings and feeble lovers...all of which takes you to the Trojan War. Ho hum.

Mykonos
Destination of young poseurs and dance till dawn Eurotravellers, gays and nude beaches. I wonder what you will see there? [Ed - fortunately too cold for nude Eurotrash.] Actually I loved Mykonos and its winding narrow streets designed to confuse pirates... it has fantastic shops and jewellery. The island of Delos next door has atmosphere. It was the slave saleyards in ancient times, handling as many as 10,000 slaves a day at times. Before that it was so sacred that no one was allowed to die there. [Probably a cynical decree by the Athenians to keep people away from their treasury, housed on the island.]

Thanks Mum!