one of the largest of the islands of the Cyclades, is situated in the Aegean Sea, about 6 miles W. from Naxos, and consists of a circular mountain sloping down on all sides to a maritime plain. It was colonized at an early period by the Ionians. The island in course of time attained a high degree of prosperity. It planted colonies in Thasus (Thase), at Parium on the Propontis, and at Pharos on the Illyrian coast. Its two harbours became the seats of an extensive maritime trade, and its chief town, Paros (Parichia), became a well-fortified city. It was strong enough to repel the attack of Miltiades by force, and wealthy enough to avert the attack of Themistocles by bribes. Shortly afterwards, however, Paros became tributary to Athens, and from that period it continued to be subject to those nations who held in succession the dominion of the Cyclades. It consequently lost all historical importance, and was chiefly famous for that beautiful Parian marble which was so extensively employed in the architecture and sculpture of the ancients. At the present time Paros belongs to the kingdom of Greece, and contains about 6000 inhabitants.