The island in the Aegean Sea covers around 1,400 square kilometres. It is the largest island in the Dodecanese group and the fourth largest in Greece. It is also known as the "Pearl of the Mediterranean". The capital with three harbours is also called Rhodes, the second most important town is Lindos. The island lies between the three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa and was therefore of great importance for trade in ancient times. The Phoenicians probably brought viticulture to the island before the Greeks. According to Homer (8th century BC), Rhodes took part in the Trojan War with nine ships. In 408 BC, the three largest cities of Rhodes joined forces and founded a new city on the site of today's Rhodes. The schools of philosophers, philologists and orators were famous and the city was a centre of shipping, trade and (also wine) culture. In the 7th century BC, the island developed into an important wine exporter to the ancient world.
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