In the middle of 11th century B.C., the colonization of Chios from Ions was believed to have started. Ions were known to be tradesmen and seamen. They were also considered to be men of letters and pioneers of the Arts. A lot of factors contributed to this, such as the fertile ground of the island, its geographic position and its big harbours. It is remarkable that during the antiquity, the agricultural products of Chios, such as the wine were really famous and reached every corner of the known world. Besides Ions, there are clues that Aeolis coming from the island of Lesvos had settled in the northern part of the island.

The tribes that had settled in the Minor Asian coastline and the neighbouring islands were Greek ones that had created the Mycenaean civilisation, cultural elements of which brought from their homelands. The most important of them were the epic ones. That way the Homeric Epics, Iliad and Odyssey, the poet Homer’s masterpieces, were written. They are still considered to be the most important creations of both the Greek, and the European literature.