Euboea
Second-largest Greek island, historically important for trade and colonization.
Euboea (often called Evia) is Greece’s second-largest island by area and third by population after Crete and Rhodes, and ranks as the seventh-largest island in the entire Mediterranean. It is cut off from the mainland by the slender Euripus Strait—at its tightest point just 40 meters wide—along with the North and South Euboean Gulfs. The island is long and skinny, stretching about 180 kilometers from northwest to southeast, with a width that ranges from 50 kilometers down to a mere 6 kilometers. A mountain range runs its full length, part of the same chain that borders Thessaly to the east and continues south through the sizable islands of Andros, Tinos, and Mykonos. Euboea makes up the bulk of the regional unit that bears its name, which also includes the island of Skyros and a small strip of the Greek mainland.
In ancient times, the island went by several other names. It was called Macris and Doliche, both references to its elongated shape, as well as Ellopia (after Ellops, son of Ion), Aonia, and Abantis—names tied to the tribes living there. Another old name was Ocha, shared with one of its highest mountains. The name Euboea itself comes from the Greek words for “good” and “ox,” essentially meaning “land of well-fed cattle.” The geographer Strabo recorded two possible origins: either it was named after a heroine called Euboea, or it came from a cave on the Aegean coast known as Boösaule (“cow’s stall”), where the mythological Io was said to have given birth to Epaphus. During the Middle Ages, Byzantine writers often referred to the island as Chalcis, after its capital, or Euripos, after the strait separating it from the mainland, though classicizing authors kept the ancient name Euboea alive into the 16th century. The phrase “to Evripos” was rebracketed in Greek as “to Nevripos,” which Italian speakers turned into Negroponte (“Black Bridge”) through folk etymology—a reference to the bridge at Chalcis. This name became common in the West during the 13th century, appearing in forms like Egripons, Negripo, and Negropont, especially under Venetian rule. Under the Ottomans, the island and its capital were called Eğriboz or Ağriboz, again derived from the Euripos strait.
It’s widely believed that Euboea was once part of the mainland and was separated by an earthquake—a plausible idea given its location near a fault line. Both Thucydides and Strabo noted that
- location
- Mediterranean Sea, separated from Boeotia by the Euripus Strait
- area
- 3,684 km² (1,422 sq mi)
- population
- 198,130 (2001 census)
- length
- about 180 km (110 mi)
- width
- varies from 50 km (31 mi) to 6 km (3.7 mi)
- highest_point
- Dirfi (1,743 m / 5,719 ft)
- climate
- Hot-summer Mediterranean (Csa)
Lore & Background
In the Middle Ages, Euboea was spared the bulk of barbarian raids due to its isolated location, though the Vandals raided in 466 and 475, and an Arab attack on Chalcis failed in the 870s. The island preserved relative prosperity, as attested by finds of mosaics, churches, and sculpture throughout the 7th century. Euboea was part of the theme of Hellas from its establishment in the late 7th century, not first a distinct fiscal district in the 8th century before joining Hellas. In 1157 all coastal towns were destroyed by a Sicilian force, and Chalcis was burned by the Venetians in 1171. During the 13th century, the Greek element was strengthened by Byzantine Emperor Michael Palaiologos. After the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the island was occupied by a number of Lombard lords.
Reader's Guide
Euboea's significance lies in its role as a bridge between mainland Greece and the Aegean, and as a center of early Greek colonization and trade. Its cities Chalcis and Eretria were among the first to establish colonies in the western Mediterranean, spreading Greek culture and commerce. The island's strategic location made it a contested territory among Athens, Macedon, Rome, and later Venice and the Ottoman Empire. The Euboic weight and measure system influenced Athens and other Ionic cities, and the island may have been the birthplace of the Greek alphabet. Its long history of occupation and cultural exchange is reflected in its many names—Euboea, Negroponte, Eğriboz—and in the survival of classical learning through Byzantine and Venetian periods. The island's geography, with its narrow strait and dramatic tides, also made it a notable landmark for ancient sailors and historians.
Did You Know?
- The Euripus Strait is only 40 m (130 ft) at its narrowest point, and its extraordinary tidal changes have been noted since classical times.
- Euboea was known in antiquity as Macris and Doliche, meaning 'long' in reference to its elongated shape.
- The name Negroponte comes from the Italian folk etymology of 'to Evripos' becoming 'Black Bridge'.
- Aristotle died on Euboea in 322 BC after fleeing Athens for his mother's family estate in Chalcis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Euboea?
Euboea, commonly called Evia, is Greece's second-largest island by area and the seventh-largest in the entire Mediterranean. It is a long, narrow landmass stretching roughly 180 kilometers from northwest to southeast.
Where is Euboea located?
The island sits in the Mediterranean Sea, cut off from the Boeotian mainland by the narrow Euripus Strait, which measures only about 40 meters at its tightest point. It is further bordered by the North and South Euboean Gulfs.
What are Euboea's physical dimensions and highest point?
The island spans approximately 3,684 square kilometers, with a width that varies dramatically from 50 kilometers down to just 6 kilometers. Its highest elevation is Mount Dirfi, rising to 1,743 meters above sea level.
How many people live on Euboea?
The 2001 census recorded a population of roughly 198,130 residents, placing it as the third most populous Greek island behind Crete and Rhodes.
Why is Euboea historically significant?
A continuous mountain range runs the island's full length, linking to the same chain that borders Thessaly to the east, giving it a commanding strategic position. Its central location in the Aegean made it a long-standing hub for maritime trade and Greek colonial expansion.
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