From the relic of prehistoric settlements of Lesvos as well as from the more general anthropologic structure of Aegean and beaches of East Asia we can draw the following conclusions on the likely picture that presented the population of island in the prehistoric years: at the Palaeolithic season (60000 - 8000 eg) it appears improbable that people had lived in Lesvos, because that times the region of Aegean sea was the centre of big geologic and volcanic phenomena. Most likely is that settlements on Lesvos began at the Neolithic season (from 8000 e.g. and afterwards) from persons of Mediterranean origin, Pelasgians, Leleges and Tyrannies. With them were mixed at the end of Neolithic season Near East races as the Karres, but also venturous seafarers from the Cycladic and Crete, at this time the first marks of commercial transactions are presented. From neither 1900 p.h. the effect of culture of early Greeks starts to become obvious in Lesvos, nor alpine origin that was expanded as Achaeans in the Hellenic space and or from main Greece or from Thrace reached also Lesvos.
In the beginning the immigration of settlers was peaceful; the Pelasgians as the older residents does not react but profit from profit elements that infiltrate. However in 1400 eg the mass immigration of Achaeans, Peloponnesians and Aeolians from Viotia and Thessaly started, the old residents react violently and resist, thus or are subjugated or exterminated by the arithmetic excelsior and better equipped intruders. A new colonization began in 1100 e.g. by Aeolians and Dorian from continental Greece that they thus reached up to Near East coasts, until 1000 e.g. a mixture of Mediterranean, Near East Asiatic and Alpine races has taken place in Lesvos, with mainer the Aeolians, make decisive in the predominance of Aeolian dialect.
The above anthropologic perceptions do not differ and a lot the fables and the historical elements that us gave the ancient historians and geographers, Plinios, Stravon, Diodorus, Thucydides, Herodotus, Ploutarhos and Dionysos from Alikarnassos.Lesvos during Homeric period
Homer as panegyrist of the Trojan War did not omit to report the brigand raids of the Achaeans in Lesvos, at the duration of the ten year war. In these raids however they did not satisfy only in wrest biotic virtuous and precious metals, but men were killed or sold as slaves and women enslaved. In several of all these enterprises Achilles is reported as the head. Homer reports the size and the value of loot make that confirms the economic robustness of Lesbians, also mentions that Achilles after martial enterprise in Lesvos received as loot Diomidi, daughter of Forvanta, sovereign of the island and letting Agamemnon to choose seven girls.
In some expedition of Achaeans at Lesvos, Odysseus also was distinguished in an episode of Odyssey, it is reported that the hero after a fight killed Filomedes, sovereign of Mitilini, because he denied entertaining him and his army.
Finally a delivery exists that Achilles occupied Mithimna (Molyvos) with the help of Peisidiki, daughter of the king that fell in love when she saw him from above. When however Achilles entered the walls from the door that Peisidiki opened for him and occupied the city, he killed king Lepetymno and his sons and he ordered to pelt the Traitor.
The end of the 8th century e.g. Lesvos has absorbed the emigrational revolution of past, already the five first cities - states of island have been shaped and have determined their dominion. The cities in order that Herodotus reports are Mitilini, Mithymna, Pyrra, Antissa and Eresos. The relations between those cities - states of Lesvos were not always friendly or however always hostile. Besides by the archaic times (8 - 6 e.g.) it is known that it had been founded the public of Lesvos with seat at the temple of Messa, a religious but also often political union, dividing and renewing by various matters from time to time. The economy of Lesvos that time is almost supported by the agriculture, the growth of shipping and trade begin in the means the 7 e.g. Century from the action of Mytilanians in Ellispontos up to Egypt.
This season the political disturbances begin mainly in the Mitilini, where aristocrats are roused claiming the power from the royal genders, it is the time where the race of Penthilides is almost disappeared, the power passes to Tyrants and one from them Melaghros, that will be reversed by the Pittakus who undertakes the administration of army. A new tyrant Myrsilos achieves and takes the power in the Mitilini, once again Pittakus with his young then collaborator poet Alkaeos tried unsuccessfully to take over, then he crossed Alkaeos and became narrow collaborator of Myrsjlos. Afterwards the death of Tyrant, the order of second estate of Mitilini tired from the continuous political conflicts, elected once again Pttakus for life, who kept the power for ten years (590 - 580 e.g.) and afterwards resigned.
In 546 e.g. Kyrros, king of Persia, subjugated the Mytilenian possessions as all the Greek cities of M. Asia, Lesbians as all islanders of Eastern Aegean been afraid, contracted treaty with Persians that practised a form of suzerainty in the island, obtrude the pecuniary and military contribution for the Persian Country and its raids. In 493 e.g. Lesvos is under the Persian rule that kept for fourteen years. After the end of Persian war and the happy end for the Greeks, Lesbians, Chios and Samos islanders adhered in the 1st Athenian alliance taking part in many raids and remained under the orders of the Athenians. In 405 e.g. e Lakedaιmon general Lyssandros will occupy Lesvos, suppressing democracy and it will install Spartan guard in all the cities of Lesvos that will remain thus for twelve years. In 392 e.g. The Athenian Thrasyvoulos recapture the power and will restore the democracy, in 377 e.g. Lesvos signs the second Athenian alliance and Mitilini constitutes one from the founding members, little afterwards will follow also the remainder cities of Lesvos.
Mitilini lives big favour from the Alexander after he became an important member of alliance of Greeks aiming at the expedition in the Persia.
From 196 e.g. aand for the next five centuries, Lesvos as all Greece are found under the Roman sovereignty, which progressively check and direct the configuration of various situations. Nevertheless Lesvos continues to prosper and fructify having a powerful navy, with rich colonies in the Asia Minor and powerful economy. In 133 e.g. The Roman sailing has been expanded from Carsedonia until Bergamo and in Lesvos the bonds with the Romans are strengthened. Scholars, politicians and factors of economy develop communication, they visit Rome, and some relocate themselves permanently and get titles of Roman citizen. One of those was Diofanis that went to Rome as schoolteacher of Tiberius.
However the liberal spirit of Lesbians does not allow the Romans catholic predominance thus in 88 e.g. Lesvos is found in side of Mithridates, king of Pontus participating in the general Roman slaughter of in the Asia Minor. Nevertheless in 80 e.g. Lesvos besieged by the Roman general Loukoullus signs alliance. Those who resided in Rome returned back and undertook the leadership of Mitilini, one from them was also the writer and political Theophanous. It is the season when Mitilini live its old glamour, public buildings, the theatre of capacity of roughly 10000 spectators, beautiful private houses and mansions, work of art and effervescent intellectual movement makes the life in the city interesting and distinguished, Romans comes in order to remain, one from them and the Oratius. A worthy respect construction of those times is the Roman aqueduct in the region of Moria, work of rather Adriano which covering 26 km transported abundant water from Olympos mountain to Mitilini, a work of culture, cleanness and comfort, that shows the prosperity but also the tastefulness of Lesbians in Roman age.
The Byzantine state is the continuity of the Roman, is the development and transformation in the space of East. The Asia Minor at the Byzantine period is rendered the centre of political events with change of centre of weight from the west to the Eastern coasts of Aegean. The Hellenic space is degraded in simple province. The former powerful cities - states, as well as the five main cities of Lesvos, Mitilini, Mithymna, Antissa, Eresos and Pyra realise the new big dimensions of world, that stress their minority. The geographic place of Lesvos determined its fate at the Byzantine period; the island belongs always in the historical and cultural circle of Greece, but simultaneously was tied up closely with th coasts of Asia Minor. The narrow neighbourhood with Ellispontos attracted the attention of each one ambitious, that had dreams for Istanbul, but also each adventurer, that having the island as base of operations sought the looting, the pillage or the control of wider region. The Byzantine period for Lesvos is long in duration that kept above 1000 years - but poor in makes, no Lesbians would play protagonists roles. Lesvos was useful only as theatre of makes. Christianity was declared for first time in Lesvos in 58 ac from the Apostle Paul, but we do not know the impressions of preaching that had left to Mytilenians. The first pastoral seat of the island is Mitilini which first bishop of existed was Gregory in 325 ac. It is important to report that the first two pale Christian churches have been found in the region Mithymna (early basilica in Ypsilometopo and the pale Christian of Halinardou). The period between the 9th and 14th century is rich, concerning the spiritual history of the island. Personalities such as the Empress Irene the Athenian, Magistrate Symeon, Konstantinos Monomahos, Saint Raphael and others testify the highly spiritual life developed during that period. However the continuous raids of Slavs, Saracens, Enetians and crusaders were a great shock for the inhabitants of Lesvos. The year 1354 is a milestone for the island when it passes to the hegemony of Gateluzzi, when art, literature and commerce were strongly developed and especially under the rule of Francesco. However, the prosperity of the island would not last long. In 1401 a terrible earthquake destroyed it and almost half century later in 1462, Levos submitted by force to the Sultan Mohamed the 2nd.
Record sources and travel letters show that during the Turkish domination Lesvos was facing great problems. The increasing of Ottomans from the first half of the 16th century on the island, especially at the coastal urban centres, had as a result, firstly the continuous raids of pirates and secondly the stop of scholar flourishing. Under these circumstances, Lesvos presents an image of desertification. Nevertheless the centres of preservation of the Greek orthodox heritage, such as the Monastery of Leimon with Saint Ignatius Agallianos, marked the intellectual life of the island. At the beginning of 17th century the Ottoman presence was recorded as the 5% of the total population. In the 17th century, Lesvos constituted separate province, and during the next century, a number of personalities contributed to the regeneration of the field of education. In 1812 Benjamin the Lesbian, great teacher of the nation and supporter of the ideas of the European renaissance, established a superior school in Mytilene. The liberation of Lesvos from the ottoman occupation, on 8 November 1912, marks the end of the long lasting tyranny, a few years later, in 1923 with the treaty of Lozani, Lesvos was definitely annexed to Greece. 
