Talk:Lesbos

Names

The assertion that Sappho ran a girls' finishing school was debunked in the Sappho article. This should be reworded to reflect current academic opinion (of which I am no expert). Kat.reinhart 03:35, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

The island`s Turkish name should also be mentioned in the beginning part. It is called as Midilli in Turkish.

Is there a non-chauvinist reason to support this request? Miskin 16:18, 10 May 2006 (UTC)

I think Turkish name should be added. Turkish era occupies a long portion of the history of this island. This is an encyclopedia for providing correct information to people. It’s correct that the island have once had a different official name. Its Turkish name is an indispensable part of the history of this island. It is the same reason why many place names in Turkey and in other places in the Mediterranean basin are also given in their Greek equivalents as the Hellenistic influence is the part of their history. Let’s don’t make this an arena for nationalistic arguments. Let’s give all the available information to the readers. I can’t see any reason why the Turkish name should be hidden.(Hakankaan 09:00, 27 May 2006 (UTC))

I don't see a reason why the Greek name is not mentioned in the head of any Turkish cities. Rebognise the Armenian and Pontic genocide, add the Greek name in the head of Instanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Trabzon and all the Greek cities whose original names were Greek (which is not the case with Lesbos), and I promise you to add the Turkish name in Athens. Regards. Miskin 16:53, 27 May 2006 (UTC)

If you want to be fair,add the Greek name to any city on aegean coast.I checked Izmir ( Σμύρνη ) and had only the turkish name.Beside, and most important why is there the turkish flag at the end of the articles of Greek islands? There is no city or place in turkey that refers to Greece with a flag as is done at all the Greek islands.Again if you want to be fair, remove the turkish flag from every Greek island. My next action will be to report this insult so all people will learn how objective wikipedia is... sstakis —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sstakis (talk • contribs) 16:45, 23 September 2007 (UTC)

Please stop POV pushing and vandalizing Aegean Sea/Island relatd pages. ^{El Greco (talk · contribs)} 18:11, 23 September 2007 (UTC)

The issue of foreign names was discussed extensively last year, and the prevailing opinion was that it was better to keep them. As for the flags, they were apparently put into the navigation box template because the Aegean borders on both countries. However, few Turkey-related articles (coastal towns, islets etc.) were finally put into the box, so it's now a little bit imbalanced. Fut.Perf. ☼ 18:15, 23 September 2007 (UTC)

Every other city, location name in Wikipedia also includes historic names too. Some are even in languages no one has heard of. In fact, Greeks and Armenians have been rather diligent about this. Midilli was the official name for 450 years after all, maps and books were published with it. The only reason for NOT including it would be a cheuvenistic one it seems, totally against the sipirit of Wikipedia. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.77.168.53 (talk) 06:24, 21 November 2009 (UTC)

Interpretation

Rather "victorian" was the interpretation, that only "platonic" love was object in the poems. While there are no sex scenes or direct references to sex understood nowadays, the invocation of Aphordite for example is not a suitable one for mere "platonic" love. Open to debate is, wether there literary "I" of the poems is female or male; there is not much saved of her poems, and from what is left, there is not a single participle or similar word, which gives clue to the sex of the speaker, which is not contested in modern science. So whereas someone would to be have undecicded just based on what is saved from the literary work, ancient reception already point out that she was a "lesbian" (in the modern sense of course), or would search for different interpretations as to "defend her". This is not to mean though she didnt have a husband. antiphon--84.175.78.139 12:37, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

Alexander the Great (Greek: Αλέξανδρος ο Μέγας or Μέγας Aλέξανδρος,[1] Megas Alexandros; July 20 356 BC – June 10 323 BC),[2][3] also known as Alexander III and Alexander the Macedonian, was an ancient Greek[4][5] king (basileus) of Macedon (336–323 BC). He was one of the most successful military commanders in history, and was undefeated in battle. By the time of his death, he had conquered most of the world known to the ancient Greeks.

Alexander assumed the kingship of Macedon following the death of his father Philip II of Macedon. Philip had united most of the city-states of mainland Greece under Macedonian rule (the so-called League of Corinth). After reconfirming Macedonian hegemony by quashing a rebellion of southern Greek city-states, and staging a short but bloody excursion against Macedon's northern neighbors, Alexander set out east against the Achaemenid Persian Empire, which he defeated and overthrew. His conquests including Anatolia, Syria, Phoenicia, Judea, Gaza, Egypt, Bactria, and Mesopotamia, and extended the boundaries of his own empire as far as Punjab, India.

Prior to his death, Alexander had already made plans for military and mercantile expansions into the Arabian peninsula, after which he was to turn his armies to the west (Carthage, Rome, and the Iberian Peninsula). His original vision had been to the east, though, to the ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea, as described by his boyhood tutor Aristotle.

Alexander integrated many foreigners into his army, leading some scholars to credit him with a "policy of fusion." He also encouraged marriages between his soldiers and foreigners; he himself went on to marry two foreign princesses.

Alexander died after twelve years of constant military campaigning, possibly as a result of malaria, poisoning, typhoid fever, viral encephalitis or the consequences of alcoholism.[2][6] His legacy and conquests lived on long after him, and ushered in centuries of Greek settlement and cultural influence over distant areas. This period is known as the Hellenistic Age, and featured a combination of Greek, Middle Eastern and Indian culture. Alexander himself was featured prominently in the history and myth of both Greek and non-Greek cultures. His exploits inspired a literary tradition in which he appeared as a legendary hero in the tradition of Achilles.

Removed material cut/pasted from copyrighted site

The geology section was wholesale cut/pasted from here, a copyrighted site, with no attribution or record of permission. I removed.

Here's the preserved text: == Geology of Lesvos Island == The [[geology]] of Lesvos Isl. has been described by [[Hecht]] ([[1971]], [[1974]], [[1975]]), [[Pe-Piper]] ([[1978]]), [[Katsikatsos]] et al. ([[1982]], [[1986]]). Hecht ([[1971]],[[1974]]) presented the [[geological map]] of the island (1: 50.000 [[scale (ratio)|scale]]). [[Lesvos]] [[island]] belongs to the [[Pelagon]]ian geotectonic [[zone]] (Mountrakis 1983). According to the published data and our survey, the geological structure of Lesvos island consists of the following rock-units: * An [[autochthonous]] unit of [[Permo-Triassic]] age, including [[schists]], [[quartzites]], metasandstones, [[phyllite]]s and [[intercalation]] of [[marbles]] and [[crystalline]] [[carbonates]]. These [[Rock (geology)|rock]]s are widely extended at the South-East part of the island, while in the North-West part they have a rather small extension. * An [[ophiolitic]] [[nape]], comprising basic and ultrabasic rocks and associated deep-sea fine-grained [[sediments]], as well as [[metamorphic]] rocks, [[amphibolites]] and [[amphibole]] [[schists]], [[metabasites]] and [[metasediments]], parts of the sole, overthrusting the metamorphic basement. All these [[alpidic]] and pre-alpidic rocks were covered later by post-[[alpine]] [[volcanic rock]]s and [[Neogene]] [[marine]] and [[lacustrine]] [[deposit]]s such as whitish [[marl]]s, marly [[limestone]], [[silts]] and [[sandstone]], as well as [[Tertiary]] deposits. The Neogene volcanic rocks, dominate the central and western part of the island. [[Lesvos]] is part of a belt of late [[Oligocene]] - middle [[Miocene]] calc-alcaline to [[shoshonitic]] [[volcanism]] of the northern and central [[Aegean Sea]] and western [[Anatolia]]. In the central part of the island there is a series of [[volcanic centre]]s, situated along a SW-NE direction. Several volcanic rock units can be distinguished. The oldest [[igneous]] rocks are [[andesites]] of the Lower [[Lava]] unit, dated by Borsi et. al. ([[1972]]) as 18.0 m.y. The [[Acid]] volcanics unit overlies the former, comprising the [[Sigri]] [[pyroclastics]], [[ignimbrite]] and [[ryolite]] [[domes]]. Sigri pyroclastics are connected with the development of the [[Petrified Forest of Lesvos]]. The [[Skoutaros]] Lava unit, consisting of [[basalt]] and andesite, overlies the acid volcanics. The [[volcanic activity]] was continuous into the [[Sikaminea]] unit of andesites, [[dacite]]s and [[rhyolitic]] [[pyroclastics]]. The younger volcanics, [[Eressos]] andesitic dykes, dated by Pe-Piper ([[1978]]) at 16.2 m.y., are widespread in western [[Lesvos]]. The last volcanic manifestation took place later with the local basaltic-shoshonitic lavas of eastern [[Lesvos]], in [[Mytilene]] area, around 11 m.y. ago (Pe-Piper, [[1978]]). The intense volcanic activity in the area resulted in a large number of active [[surface]] thermal [[manifestation]]s (hot springs, various geothermal fields, etc). [[Kinematic]] analysis carried out in [[Lesvos]] showed that several successive [[tectonic]] events took place during [[Cainozoic]]. The neotectonic stress pattern in the area was determined by [[quantitative method]]s, using tectonic striations and other kinematic indicators. Taking into account published results of regional neotectonic studies in the North [[Aegean]] (Mercier et al. [[1989]], [[Pavlides]] et al. [[1990]]) as well as local studies ([[Dotsica]] et al. [[1994]]) we conclude that [[Lesvos]] suffered at least three post-volcanic tectonic events since [[Miocene]]. The first one produced E-W to ENE-WSW trending [[sinistral]] strike-slip faults in Late [[Miocene]]. The second during [[Pliocene]], caused NW-SE trending normal faults and NNE-SSW trending sinistral strike-slip faults. Finally during [[Pleistocene]] the [[orientation]] of the strain [[ellipsoid]] changed and an extentional event in the N-S direction took place. It produced E-W trending normal faults and the reactivation of the pre-existing structures. This tectonic regime seems to be still active in the area ([[Papazachos]] et al. [[1990]]).

Inhabitants

This is a question that has been bugging me for over a week. There's a question on my local radio station that no one has gotten right in over a week. The question is: The inhabitants of the Greek island of Lesbos are specifically known as...? I came here looking for the answer and you've let me down!! User:Naysie

The usual answer is "Lesbosians" White 720 14:28, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

The correct one is Lesbians. By the way, understandably, Lesbians are not particularly happy about homosexuals hijacking the term. — NRen2k5^(TALK), 00:45, 3 May 2008 (UTC)

Merger of Gera Villages

Merge - As it is the Gera Villages article is not very big or notable on its own. JohnnyMrNinja 08:28, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

Citing of names in other languages

Why are some names of the Aegean Islands also cited in Turkish? I understand that names of places are supposed to be written first in the English language, and then in the native language. I also understand that it is perfectly acceptable (in fact, recommended) to cite past or alternative names of a place in the section about the history of said place. But why put them in the introductory section about the name itself ? If the rule about English & native is not strictly followed, then POVs and political controversies are sure to make their appearance. -The Gnome (talk) 08:51, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Moving back?

Would anybody mind if we moved this page back to Lesbos Island (and related pages too), where it's been for some ages? Sorry Fallacia for undoing your work, but this seems to be the established name in English, as per our policy at WP:USEENGLISH. Fut.Perf. ☼ 08:40, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

Lesbos Island? Established English? I can't think of a single Greek island that normally takes 'Island' after it, and Lesbos is the same. The article should be moved from Lesbos Island to Lesbos, surely. Q·L·1968 ☿ 21:57, 27 February 2009 (UTC)

Demonym

I'm wondering if anyone knows of the demonym that is commonly used for the people of Lesbos. Suggestions in any language would help.Mexicomida (talk) 14:51, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Lesbian. No joke, this is what they are actually called. 82.1.157.16 (talk) 17:22, 30 April 2010 (UTC)

It was bound to happen

Lesbians suing lesbians over the use of the term "lesbian"! 204.52.215.107 (talk) 15:31, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Yes, yes it was bound to happen. But is it relevant (to the island of Lesbos)? Maybe it would be better mentioned in the Lesbian article.--TomDæmon (talk) 03:35, 17 June 2008 (UTC)

Políchnitos or Polichnítos?

I think the stress mark in the Greek alphabet name should be on the third syllable (Polichnítos), as in the spelling used in the Greek language Wikipedia. I was in Lesbos a few days ago and noticed that the name was Políchnitos on the road maps, and Polichnítos on the road signs. A local told me that the road signs were correct. Andrea Domenici 131.114.58.49 (talk) 15:54, 20 July 2009 (UTC)

Probably correct, as the municipality website has "Πολιχνίτος" too [1]. Fut.Perf. ☼ 16:07, 20 July 2009 (UTC)

Lesbos/Lesvos

This has always bugged me -- the article introduces the island as "Lesbos (Greek: Λέσβος also transliterated Lesvos..." Coming from a Greek family from Lesvos, I can safely say I've never heard anyone pronounce it with a "b" sound. Although the Greek β does look like a B, it is pronounced in Greek as "v". I don't know if there's some reason behind this, but it is no doubt confusing to non-Greek speakers. Even the official website spells it in the URL with a v -- www.lesvos.gr Let me know if I'm bringing up an old argument. 122.108.95.167 (talk) 16:32, 4 July 2010 (UTC)

Hello, and welcome to Wikipedia. The version with "b" is the conventional name in English (just as we say "Athens", not "Athina", and just as you say "Londhino", not "London"). Like most Western European versions of Greek placenames it is based on the Ancient Greek version, probably filtered through Latin and other western languages. In Ancient Greek, the beta was in fact still pronounced as b. We have some conventions about Greek names outlined at WP:GREEK. Fut.Perf. ☼ 16:43, 4 July 2010 (UTC)

Though we here are speculative editors on the question of pronounciation, the conventional spelling of Lesvos in English and other European languages is with a 'b', Lesbos, Lesbo, etc... Regarding the pronounciation of ancient Greek, academic opinions vary especially owing to dialectic variations. The Erasmic pronounciation is just that, Erasmic, and was introduced by Erasmus; it became the standard in some countries for the teaching of ancient Greek. Politis (talk) 09:20, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks a bunch for the background. I was confused at first, but having read WP:GREEK, it actually makes sense. Thanks again. 122.108.95.167 (talk) 13:15, 5 July 2010 (UTC)