Ios has been inhabited from the early Cycladic period, as evidenced by archaeological excavations that have yielded a variety of artefacts. These commemorate the existence of human life on the island in ancient times. The well-preserved remnants of a castle’s walls and vessels uncovered at Chora’s west and north gates attest to the existence of a thriving population. They also show that the castle has been occupied since the archaic period.
Various discoveries indicate that the history of Ios dates back to prehistoric times. Careans, Pelageans, Achaeans, and Phoenicians were the first to colonize the island. The Ionians arrived at Ios about 1050 BC. Several theories have been advanced regarding the origin of the name Ios.
Ancient History
Inscriptions, coins, and texts from ancient historians, including Herodotus, attest that Ios is the birthplace of the Greek epic poet Homer’s mother (Klymeni), and that the famous poet was buried there. This belief has become a huge myth, and an ancient spot on the island’s island side is thought to be Homer’s burial.
Excavations on the island’s Psathi area have uncovered the remains of an ancient temple. A ruined Hellenistic aqueduct can be found a short distance distant. When Ios joined the Athenian Delian League during the Classical period, it formed a democratic government system.
https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/ios/history/: History of IosRecent History
During the years following the fall of the Byzantine Empire, Ios, like most Greek islands, was subjected to numerous pirate raids, and the inhabitants would seek refuge in the fortified castle to avoid the pirates’ savagery. The island was captured by Crusaders in 1204 and later came under the control of the Venetian dynasty of Crispi in the 15th century. Ios was included into the Duchy of Naxos, and the Crispi erected a new fortress on the ruins of the previous one to better safeguard the island from the dangerous pirates. That didn’t stop the famous pirate Barbarossa from occupying Naxos and nearly all of the Greek islands in 1537.
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https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/ios/history/: History of Ios