Amorgos is also known as Yperia, Patagy, or Platagy, Pagali, Psichia and Karkisia. Part of the island is named Aspis, where the ancient temple of the goddess Aphrodite stood. Due to the name Minoa we suspect that Amorgos had been colonised by the Cretans from ancient times, but there are no archeological remains supporting this view. In approximately 630 BC, the poet Semonides led the foundation of a Samian colony on Amorgos. With the passing of time, the island's name changed to Amolgon, Amourgon, Amorgian, and Amourgian. After the 5th century one can also find the name Amoulgos from Bishop Theodore who signed a Synod in Constantinople, as Theodore the Bishop of Parion, Sifnion, and Amoulgion. Skilax mentions it as Tripoli (the circumnavigation of the Cyclades Islands). It was known as "Yamurgi" during Ottoman rule between 1566-1829.
A very powerful earthquake (7,5 on the Richter scale) on 9 July 1953 resulted in the deaths of 53 people
