History - Antiquities Following the Equestrian Thracian...

The prefecture of Rodopi is a pure piece of Greek land, which lies on the North-East side of Greece between the mountain of Rodopi and the North of the Aegean open sea. It is the heart of Thrace having the region of Evros on the East and the region of Xanthi on the West. The region of Rodopi extends over 2.543 square metres and has got 9 municipalities with 110.828 inhabitants. In the North at the green edge of the mount Rodopi many mountainous settlements spread out and on the flat land many towns and villages are placed almost radiously, around the capital of the region, the town of Komotini.

Seaside settlements, picturesque fishing ports and sandy beaches alternate all over the region. The climate varies a lot, according to the geographical relief. Abundant showers, snowy weather and frosts are the characteristics of the mountains of Rodopi, whereas the flat parts of the region have a continental climate with various temperature changes. In the coastal zone, which is mildly affected by the sea, a sweet Mediterranean climate predominates.

The land of Rodopi has got a long history, which reaches centuries deep down into the mists of time. This is the land where Orfeas' lyre once rang, filling the air and where the Menands would cheerfully dance spreading around their joy. They were God Dionisos' followers, who was the God of wine and vineyard. Many samples of stone tools made of "piritolith" by the paleolitic man (10.000-7.000) have been found in the abundant land, whereas the neolithic age period (7.000-3.000) has been confirmed by excavations in the settlement of Paradium village.

During the next big period of chalcocratia (3.000-1.100/1.050) the whole of Thrace lies under the influence of big settlements from the North Aegean, as for instance Lesvos, Limnos and Troi. Findings from the Iron times (1.050-650) give important information about the religion, the mythology and the civilization of the Thracian People. Homer mentions the Kikones, whom Odisseas fought and managed to take control of their town, Ismaros. Fortifying surrounding walls, outdoor sanctuaries, carved hollows in rocks, the adoration of the sun and later of the mythical King Risos, God of nature, hunting Rodopis wild animals are many a sign of the civilization of those times. In the 7th century the Thracian coast is full of colonies. Picturesque Maronia has accepted peacefully the colonians from Chios.