First dives for treasure

First dives for treasure

Last updated: March 19, 2019 at 15:10 pm

[ 480 BCE ] Herodotus tells of Cyana (a.k.a. Hydna of Scione) and her father Scyllias, a pair of divers who recovered sunken treasure for the Persian King Xerxes. When Xerxes refused to let them return home, they cut the anchor ropes of the occupying Persian fleet under the cover of darkness in the bay of Aphetae and then fled to aid the Greeks. They used knives to cut the moorings of the ships after swimming approximately 16 km (10 miles). Many of the drifting ships were damaged in the ensuing collisions and some were reportedly sunk. The grateful Greeks dedicated statues to them at Delphi.

Mark, Joshua (August 20, 2014). Ten Noble and Notorious Women of Ancient Greece. Ancient History Encyclopedia.

Greek sponge diver circa 500 BCE (Public Domain)

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