The Marmara island was colonized by Ionian Greeks in the eight century BC (Milesians or Samians). Originally island was named Elafonesos (Deer Islad), later Prokonnessos. It was the country of the semi-legendary Greek poet and miracle-worker, Aristeas (7th century BC). According to Greek tradition island visited by Jason and the Argonauts and by the Hellenic expedition against Troy. the In 493 BC was burned by the Phoenician fleet during the battles with the King of Persia, Darius I the Great. Then has been ruled for the Achaemenid Empire under a Greek tyrant named Metrodorus. In 410 BC was conquered by the Athenians led by Alkibiades. Later it was conquered by Cyzicus. Prokonnesos, which was plundered many times, was the place of exile of Christians during the Roman Period. During the reign of Constantine the Great in the 4th century notable aristocracy from Constantinople first has settled on the island. It gave the name "Proikonnesos" island of the royal dowry, and "Prinkipo", island of the aristocracy.
The ancient capital seems to be the present village of Palatia - Saraylar.
Sources:
- Frédéric Maffre, “Indigenous Aristocracies in Hellespontine Phrygia”, in: Christopher Tuplin eds. Persian Responses: Political and Cultural Interaction with(in) the Achaemenid Empire, 2007, p. 126
- Proconnesus, Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 12 / 1913, https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Proconnesus