Lesbos is a Greek island located in the northeastern Aegean Sea. The largest towns are Kalloni, Gera Villages, Plomari, Ayassos, Eresos and Molyvos, the ancient Mythymna. Mytilene was founded in the 11th century BC by the family Penthilidae, who arrived from Thessaly, in mainland Greece, and ruled until the popular revolt (590–580 BC) led by Pittacus of Mytilene.
The word "lesbian" is derived from the Victorian interpretation of the poems of Sappho, whose poetry was taken to mean sexual love rather than emotional or Platonic love between her and other women. Because of this association, Lesbos and especially the town of Eresos, birthplace of Sappho, are visited frequently by lesbian tourists.