Axos

In the center of Crete where Psiloritis meets Geropotamos, in the middle of its fertile valley, lies Axos perched on the slopes of a prominent hill.

The modern settlement kept the ancient name unchanged. Two interpretations have been proposed for the origin of the name. According to the first, the city took its name from the founder of Oxos, son of Apollo and the nymph Akakallida. According to the second version, its name refers to the steep landscape, as according to Stefanos Byzantios, Axos is etymologically derived from the word "ἀξους" which means slopes.

From Axos the view is unlimited. Opposite to the north rise the Tallaia Mountains. In the northwest the view reaches the northern coast to Akrotiri in Chania. To the east the eye meets Anogeia, while to the west the ridge of Psiloritis emerges.

The territory of the city bordered on the east with Tylissos and Ravko and on the west with Eleftherna. Its southern limit was the ridge of Ida. Access to the sea was ensured in Axos by the port of ancient Astalis located on the Pyrovolopetra cape, in Bali and the port of Almyrida further east near the modern settlement of Sisses which also retains its ancient name. On the borders of its territory are two very important sacred caves: that of Tallaios Hermes near the present village of Melidoni and of course the Ideo Andros dedicated to Dinas the Idata.