The island was called PHARMÁKO during antiquity (this is how Rígas Ferraíos calls it on his “Chárta”). There are ruins of ancient buildings on the island and various objects that have been dated to the Roman Age. Julius Caesar was kept on the island by pirates (1st century BC) and when he was liberated he returned to punish them. Today, the island is inhabited by a shepherd, who shares his time between Pharmakonísi and N. Léros. There is also the usual border keeping force installed on the island.
The island is a crossing for migratory birds. Researchers consider the area ideal in order to study the migration of birds, as they use the area as a station from their flights.
