Tinos Island, a jewel in the Cyclades, boasts a rich and varied history, dating back to the earliest settlements. The island's strategic location and cultural significance have shaped its destiny through numerous eras.
The first inhabitants of Tinos are said to be Phrygians, Leleges, Karres, and Phoenicians, who settled along the coast and inland for protection from raids. While Neolithic (5000–3000 BC) and early Bronze Age (Protocycladic Era, 3000–2300 BC) findings are sparse compared to other Cycladic islands, evidence of habitation during the mid-Cycladic period (2300–1600 BC) exists at Vrekastro hill, the southern cape of the island, with traces of a fortified settlement. The Mycenaean Era (Late Bronze Age, 1600–1100 BC) is represented by a domed tomb discovered near Pyrgos, marking a significant archaeological find close to St. Thekla and the monastery of Lady Kseni.
During the Dark Ages (1100–900 BC), piracy forced all the Aegean islands’ coastal settlements in areas with natural barricades that had a clear line of sight of the sea. In Tinos, such a fortified settlement developed in the southwest roots of Exombourgo, where there are findings of a huge wall and in Kardiani, close to the church of St. Nicholas. The end of the Dark Ages seems to find Tinos Island at the peak of its development.
The Geometric Period (9th–8th centuries BC) saw Tinos influenced by Euboea and Attica, vying for control of Delos Island. During the 8th century BC, the administrative center is organized in Exombourgo, with the findings indicating a very well-organized settlement with cohesive social structure. This settlement, during the 7th century BC became Tinos Island's administrative center and capital. In 664 BC, the Athenians took control of the Shrine of Apollo in Delos Island, increasing their influence on Tinos.
In the Archaic Period (6th century BC), close ties with the Athenians led to increased maritime activity and the development of settlements around ‘Poles’ hill (today the area around the Church of Panagia Evangelistria in the town of Tinos, where an ancient trail from Tripotamos leads). The later union of these settlements led to the creation of ‘Asti’ (Tinos town), which was reinforced by the construction of a water supply reservoir by Peisistratos (549–542 BC).
During the Early Classical period (5th century BC), at the beginning of the Persian Wars in 490–480 BC, Tinos is conquered by the Persians, but in 477 BC, an alliance is signed with the Athenians and gives form to a new local balance.
The Later Classical Period (4th Century BC) was an extremely difficult period for Tinos. Its administrative center is transferred from inland (Exombourgo) to the coastal zone around the two hills in the area where today the Church of Panagia Evangelistria is located. The core is created around the 'Poles' hill, and 'Asti' is fortified with a powerful wall, ruins of which remain until today. The center of 'Asti' is organized with a market, a theatre and possibly with a sanctuary of Dionysos. Despite difficulties during this period, the port of Tinos is used an in-between stop for ships heading to Delos Island, while the huge Shrine of Poseidon and Amphitrite is developed, marking a significant archaeological site in the present-day area of Kionia. From 338 BC, after the defeat of the Athenians, begins the dominance of the Macedonian generals.
During the Hellenistic Period (323–30 BC), Tinos is under Macedonian and Ptolemaic rule until 244 BC, when Ptolemy the 3rd of Egypt becomes master of the Cyclades. A difficult period follows from 220 BC to 200 BC, when the Rodians with their allies, Attalos of Pergamos and the Romans, conquer many islands of the Cyclades, giving them however their autonomy. Tinos then becomes the headquarters of a confederation, whose representatives meet on the island during the celebrations for Poseidon and Dionysos.
In the Roman Years and the Late Archaic Period, after the collapse of the Macedonian state in 146 BC, Tinos becomes part of the Roman Empire, as part of the province of Asia Minor. After the destruction of Korinthos, Delos Island is proclaimed as the only trading point and is declared as commercial prominence. This small but renowned island becomes an in-between stop, with its harbors providing safety to ships sailing from Greece and Italy to Asia and Africa. This blooming of commerce in Delos is beneficial to Tinos Island.
In 88 BC, Delos is destroyed by Minofani, the general of King Mithridati VI and frequent pirate raids affected all the islands of the Aegean. In 67 BC, the Romans pursue and liberate the Greek islands from pirates. In 268 BC, after the destruction of Athens, the Heroulean raid on the Cyclades resulted in the plundering of various islands, one of which was Tinos, and the abandonment of the Shrine of Poseidon and Amphitrite.