General History #2
During the palaeoChristian period and until the beginning of the early Byzantine times, Lesvos lives in peace and prosperity enjoying the protection and privileges provided by the emperors, when, in the 8th century B.C., the island is attacked and ravaged by the barbarians. Throughout the period of the Byzantine Empire the island is being used as a host destination for all the famous exiled personalities, such as the empress Irene, patriarch Ignatius Ragavee, Constantine the Gladiator, Leon Kouropalatis and others
In 1355 emperor Ioannis Palaeologos the 5th, grants the island to Genouatis Frangiskos Gatelouzos whose family governs Lesvos for 107 years – one of the longest and brightest hegemonies ever experienced in the Orient. About a decade after the fall of Constantinople ??? in 1462 ??? using a powerful naval force, Mohamed the second besieges Mytilene and after fighting back a strong resistance succeeds in its surrender 16 days later. Lesvos remains under the Turkish occupation until 1912. During the Greek Revolution the island serves as a concentration centre of the Turkish army and navy because of its strategic location. The sea area surrounding Lesvos witnessed a series of naval operations; In Eressos in 1821 and 1824 and at the pass between Lesvos and Asia ??? Minor in 1826. Finally, Mytilene was liberated by the Greek navy in November 8th 1912, whereas the rest of the island was set free one month later