Nisyros
An island of the S Sporades group. It is cited in the Iliad (2.676) as a participant in the Trojan War, led by the sons of Thessalos. In historic times Nisyros spoke the Doric dialect and belonged for a time to the Delio-Attic League. In 200 B.C. it was incorporated into the Rhodian domain. The ancient city was at the NW tip of the island, above modern Mandraki. Remains include sections of the encircling wall with towers built of trapezoidal blocks, perhaps from the 4th c. B.C., and, at the SE corner, a gate with an access ramp. In the valley below a necropolis was excavated in 1932; it yielded material from the 7th and 6th c. B.C., as well as a tomb datable to the 5th c. B.C.
BIBLIOGRAPHYR. M. Dawkins, “Notes from the Sporades,” BSA 12 (1905-6) 165ff; G. Jacopi, “Scavi e ricerche di Nisiro,” Clara Rhodos 6-7 (1932-33) 471ffPI; G. E. Bean & J. M. Cook, “The Carian Coast III,” BSA 52 (1957) 118-19; R. Hope Simpson & J. F. Lazenby, “Notes from the Dodecanese,” BSA 57 (1962) 169PI.
M. G. PICOZZI- its ships under Artemisia's command: Hdt. 7.99