Samothrace

Island of Greece in the northeast Aegean Sea, about 50 km/31 mi south of Alexandroupolis; area 181 sq km/70 sq mi. The island is mountainous, rising to 1,600 m/5,249 ft at Mount Fengári. Access is difficult as the coast is dangerous and there is no natural harbour. The soil is poor and olive oil is the only export. The Victory of Samothrace sculpture, now in the Louvre in Paris, was discovered here.

The Victory of Samothrace was commissioned by Demetrius Poliorcetes in about 305 BC; it was discovered in 1863. Samothrace was named by Greeks from Samos, who colonized the island around 700 BC. In antiquity it was the centre of worship of the Cabeiri (Great Gods). The island remained independent throughout the ancient Greek and Roman periods.