In Antiquity , Samos was one of the most important cities of the Ionian League , better known as the Twelve Ionian Cities.According to Herodotus even by 550BC , Samos was considered the first of the Greek and Barbaric cities.Its contribution to Philosophy , Mathematics , Astronomy , Architexture , Sculpture , Pplastic Arts , Ship Building and small works of art was especially significant and pioneering. Inhabited by an unmixed Greek population, Samos had the advantage of beeing self governing for many centuries and was a sanctuary for every persecuted Greek in times of national ordeals.

to Stavrinos