in Ancient Geography, an island between Crete and Peloponnese, about 24 miles from Syllaum. It is about 60 miles in circumference, and of an oblong figure. It enjoyed its independence for about 700 years before the time of the Peloponnesian war. This island was originally peopled by a Lacedemonian colony, 1116 years before the Christian era. For this reason the inhabitants refused to join the rest of the island and the Athenians against the Peloponnesians. This refusal was severely punished. The Athenians took Melos, and put to the sword all such as were able to bear arms. The women and children were made slaves, and the island left desolate. An Athenian colony repeopled it, till Lygander reconquered it and re-established the original inhabitants in their possessions.