According to Mythology, Kea had lush vegetation and forests where nymphs used to live. Because of its waters and its humid climate, it was called Ydroussa. A lion chased the nymphs so they left the island. Then Sirius - the most brilliant star - burned Ydroussa along with the rest of the Cycladian islands. The islanders, suffering from drought, begged Aristeos of Thessaly (Apollo's son) and Nymph Krini, for help.
Aristeos, the leader of the Arcadians, offered sacrifices to honour Ikmeos Zeus, the god of rain. Gods, satisfied from the sacrifices, ceased the drought. Then, Aristeos settled in the island and educated the inhabitants by teaching them religious doctrines, farming, agriculture and apiculture.
Since then, during the end of July and August (for about 40 days) when the constellation of "Big Dog" (Megalos Kynos, in which Sirios belongs) shines, strong Meltemia (Northern winds) prevail in Cyclades and cool the islands.
Later, Kea was occupied by the Lokri people, whose leader was Keos, the son of Apollo. This is the reason why the island was also named Keos.
PRE-HISTORIC ERA: Discoveries revealed an important pre-historic settlement in the area of cape Kephala and Aghia Eirini peninsula (next to Vourkari). It is believed that the first inhabitants of the island, -during the Neolithic period (3.300 B.C.)- formed rocky elevations in order to observe the sea and the land and they were occupied with fishing, farming and metallurgy. Moreover, research indicates that they had interraction with continental Greece.
Aghia Eirini settlement played and important role during the Copper age until the end of the Mycenaean period. It was a hub between the Minoan and the newly emerging Mycenaean world and became a Cretan-Mycenaean center (16 century B.C.).
Archaeological research has indicated that this settlement had a notable social and economic growth, attributed mainly to its safe natural harbour. Important Mycenaean style works have been found, including a water supply system. Some remainings are still visible in the area, while others are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Kea in Ioulida.
The settlement was destroyed by an earthquake at around 1450 BC.
ARCHAIC & HISTORIC ERA: During the 7th and the 6th centuries B.C Kea was a flourishing colony of the Ions, with four cities-states: Ioulida, Karthaia, Poiessa (Pisses) and Korissos (modern Korissia and main Port). They had independent political and and administrative status but cooperated in their exterior policy matters. All of them - except from Poiessa - had their own coins. Each city was protected by walls and observation towers, such as the Tower of Aghia Marina which is partly saved until today. Their citizens were highly involved in the public affairs through Assemplies called by the Municipalities. Around 200 B.C the town-states of Poiessa and Korissia were absorbed by Karthaia and Ioulida
The island had a dense network of roads which connected the four cities. Some of these roads exist until today. They are stone paved, well signed and are popular among those who love walking and trekking.
Kea was the home of the ancient Greek lyric poets Simonides and Bacchylides (Simonides' nephew), the physician Erasistratus and the sophist Prodicus (classical period).
During the Hellenistic years the threats from pirates forced the island to seek protection from other more powerful rulers. It was used as a base for the Egyptians during the Ptolemean wars and later fell under the influence of the Aeotolians, the Macedonians, the Rhodians and the Romans.
Aftrer the decline of the Roman Empire (4th century) Karthea was destroyed and the islands' population dwindled. However it remained quite active.
In ancient Kea older people, after an age limit, willingly drank poison in order to end their lives. This practice was called "Keian Momimon".
BYZANTINE ERA: Kea was Byzantine until 1204, when it was occupied by the Venetians (4th crusade). Byzantines regained sovereignty from 1278 until 1296 when it fell again to the Venetians (ref: wikipedia).
During the Byzantine period, Kea flourished and many monasteries and churches were founded. The Venetians built a castle in Ioulida. Later on, at about 1470, Korissia (port) was occupied by pirates and only 200 people were left on the island.
TURKISH OCCUPATION: Turks occupied Kea in 1527 but they never settled on the island. However they repopulated it with Arvanites (ref: wikipedia) at the end of the16th century. During this period the island attracted many of the religious and intellectual personalities who wanted to lie low. In 1668 the Turks destroyed the island because they had sided with the Venetians. However afterwards the remaining inhabitants were granted significant rights. In 1700 Kea had apx 3.000 inhabitants.
Between 1770 and 1774 Kea and the rest of the Cycladian islands were occupied by the Russians who destroyed many of the ancient monuments. Kea's harbour was used as a base of operations against the Turks, during the Russian-Turkish war of 1787-1792. When Lambros Katsonis (a Greek naval hero) and his ship managed to escape a turkish trap, many Keians were massacred and many houses were destroyed, in reprisal.
During the Greek Revolution against the Turks (1821), many Keians were members of the "Filiki Etairia", (i.e. the society of Greeks who were organising the Revolution), participated in several battles and supported the fight in many ways. Unfortunatelly 2.000 people were killed by a plague that was possibly spread by the refuges who arrived in Kea after the Massacre of Chios's island by the Turks.
MODERN HISTORY: By the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century Kea's economy was quite developped, if compared to the other Cycladian islands. The island exported some agricultural and dairy products and had the only enamel and metalworks factory in Greece (established in 1927). At the same time, it was an important coal trading center. After the 2nd world war the economy declined, the factory closed (1957) and many islanders immigrated to USA, as many other Greeks, in order to support their families.
In the 70's the famous Greek painter Fassianos arrived in the island and attracted other artists as well. In the 90's the island has become a popular summer destination for many Athenians who have built there impressive villas. Nowdays tourism is its main source of income, however it still keeps its local character, attracting mainly Greeks and yachters and - fortunately- not mass tourism.
Britannic, one of the largest ships sunk in World War I, was sunk off Kea in 1916 (ref: wikipedia).