Astypalaia
Island lying between Anaphe and Kos, which was named after the ancient town and capital. The modern capital now occupies the site of the ancient city, as is testified by many ruins, inscriptions, and coins found there. The mole, which protects the port from the N, was built evidently during the Roman Imperial period.
The island was inhabited first by the Carians, later by Minoans (Ov. Met. 7.456-62), and then, during the historical period, by Megarians and Dorians from the Argolis. It became a member (454-424 B.C.) of the Delian-Athenian Confederacy. As has been attested, especially from Hellenistic inscriptions, the city must have played an important role in the Aegean, owing to the seafaring ability of its inhabitants and the fertility of the soil. The town was governed by the boule, the demos, and gerousia.
There were a prytaneion, an agora, a theater, and the Sanctuaries of Athena and Asklepios, Apollo, and Artemis. Small Hellenistic coins represent Perseus, Gorgo, and later Dionysos, Athena, and Asklepios.
During the Roman period, Astypalaia became civitas foederata, while in the Imperial period it was autonomous.
BIBLIOGRAPHYE. Oberhummer, RE II 1873ff; IG XII.3, nos. 167-246, & p. 229-30; B. V. Head, HN (2d ed. 1911) 630ff; IG I (2d ed.) nos. 192ff; B. D. Meritt, The Athenian Tribute Lists (1939) I 240ff; (1950) III 21, 53, 210, 270; A. Philippson & E. Kirsten, GL (1959) IV 159ff; Kl. Pauly, I, 669; W. Peek, Inschriften von den dorischen Inseln, AbhLeipzig 62 Heft. 1 (1969) 34-51I.
G. S. KORRES