Skyros, the largest island in the Sporades, lies northwest of Chios at a distance of 20 nautical miles from the shores of Euboea. This favorable location gave Skyros the advantage of controlling sea routes in antiquity. The island first came to the fore in the Neolithic period, as ancient authors and travelers inform us, and is also confirmed by finds from various sites throughout the island. Its presence remained continuous and enduring until the Late Roman and Christian periods. The island flourished in the Early Bronze Age (2800-1900 B.C.) and Mycenaean Age (1600- 1100 B.C.), which expressed the high point of its glory. However, it also enjoyed a major presence in the Geometric and Archaic times. Macedonians, Athenians, and Romans all claimed the island as conquerors.