or NAXIA, an island in the Grecian Archipelago, lying to the E. of Paros, the northern extremity being in N. Lat. 37. 12., E. Long. 25. 33. It is about 18 miles in length, by 12 in breadth, and has an area of 170 square miles. It bore the same name in ancient times; but was also called Strongyle, from its round shape; Dionysia, in consequence of the worship of Dionysus or Bacchus; and by the poets, Dia, in honour of Jupiter. In this island, according to ancient legends, Bacchus found Ariadne, who had been brought from Crete and left here by Theseus. It is said that the earliest inhabitants were Thracians; and that a colony of Carians afterwards settled here under a chieftain named Naxos, who gave his name to the island. It was afterwards colonized by Ionians from Attica; and from its size and fertility rose to great power and prosperity among the Cyclades. The original government of Naxos seems to have been oligarchical, but a tyranny was established by Lygdamis, who, after being expelled, was restored to power by Pisistratus of Athens, whom he had assisted to reinstate in the supreme power over Attica. This state of affairs, however, did not last long; and the aristocratical party again obtained for a time the upper hand; but having been expelled by the people, they applied for assistance to Aristagoras of Miletus, who induced the Persian king to undertake an expedition against the island. This expedition, sent against Naxos in 501 B.C., proved unsuccessful; but in 490 the island was reduced to subjection by the Persians under Datis and Artaphernes. At the battle of Salamis the Naxian contingent of four vessels deserted the Persians, and fought on the side of the Greeks. After the Persian war they joined the league of which Athens was at the head; but in 471 B.C., having revolted, they were reduced by the Athenians to a state of subjection. After this time few important events happened in connection with Naxos, till 1207 A.D., when a Venetian, named Marco Sanudo, took possession of this and some of the other islands, and founded a state, under the name of the Duchy of the Aegean Sea. This duchy, after a duration of 360 years, was destroyed by the Turks in 1566, under whom the island continued till the Greek insurrection, after which it formed part of the kingdom of Greece. The island is very fertile and picturesque; and produces vines, olives, oranges, pomegranates, figs, and other fruits. In the centre rises a mountain 3000 feet high, anciently called Drius, and now Zia or Dia; and there is also another eminence called Coronon, the name of which is probably derived from the nymph Coronis, the nurse of Bacchus. The rocks of Naxos consist principally of marble and granite, of which there are quarries; and the marble is hardly inferior to that of Paros. Iron ore is also found. The higher ground affords good pasturage for cattle. The resinous substance called ladanum is obtained here in modern as in ancient times. Near the north end of the island is a marble quarry, containing an ancient colossal statue, said to be one of Apollo, in an unfinished state. The principal town in the island is that of Naxos, which stands on the site of the ancient capital, on the west coast. It is irregularly built; and though it presents a fine appearance from the sea, the streets are narrow and dirty. It contains the remains of an ancient temple of Bacchus, and of the palace of the Venetian dukes, which was plundered by Barbarossa; and two mules, one ancient and the other modern, built by Marco Sanudo. The population of the town is about 4000. The island is the see of a Greek bishop and of a Roman Catholic archbishop, and has convents of both religions. There are numerous small towns and villages throughout the island. villages; and the entire population is estimated at 20,000.