---

Modern Description: From the main asphalt road, c. 80m back, northwest of the turning to Episkopí, one of the island's most attractive stretches of ancient kalderimi heads uphill to the south, towards the summit of Mount Prophítis Elías. Originally constructed in Antiquity to link the ancient cites of Ioulis and Karthaia, the paved and stepped road has been constantly maintained, improved and used throughout the intervening centuries up until the advent of the asphalt road. The kalderimi passes close by the summit of Prophítis Elías (now a telecommunications relay-point) where (on the testimony of Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.522 -- no remains are visible) Aristaeus instituted the cult of Zeus Ikmaios—the ‘rainy' or ‘provider of coolness and moisture'—on the island's summit to end a drought. The cult was continued through Antiquity; and the moisture has favoured the groves of a tree which is especially associated with Zeus—the ‘royal oak' or ‘Valonia (Walloon) Oak', which grows in abundance here, shading the path. The semi-divine Aristaeus was subsequently worshipped on the island: he was credited with the introduction of apiculture to mankind, as well as the pressing of olives for oil. Kea in Antiquity was celebrated for both its oil and honey.

Info: McGilchrist's Greek Islands

(From McGilchrist’s Greek Islands, © Nigel McGilchrist 2010, excerpted with his gracious permission. Click for the books)

---