A Greek island in the southern Aigean (Aegean) Sea.
Considered to be one of the islands known as the Sporades, which means scattered. Originally called Doliche, the name of the island was changed to honor the son of Daidalos (Daedalus), Ikaros (Icarus).
King Minos of the island of Krete (Crete) employed and eventually enslaved Daidalos because of Daidalos' masterful design and construction abilities. Minos became suspicious of Daidalos' loyalties and plotted to kill him. Daidalos fled with his son Ikaros. Depending on which story you choose to believe, father and son either sailed or flew away. Daidalos ended up in Sicily and Ikaros died on Doliche.
When the legendary hero Herakles (Heracles) landed on the island he discovered the body of Ikaros washed up on the shore. Herakles buried Ikaros and renamed the island in his honor. The body of water between Ikaria and Chios is called the Ikarian Sea.
Latitude North, Longitude East
37.6009, 26.1387
| References: Homer, Iliad book 2, line 145 Apollodorus, The Library book 2.6.3 Diodorus of Sicily, The Library of History book 4.77.6 Strabo, Geography books 10.5.13; 14.1.15; 14.1.19 |