Throughout history, Paros and Antiparos have been closely connected. During antiquity, the island was known as Oliaros (land with forests). As such, it is mentioned by the famous geographer Iraklidis the Cretian (3rd century BC), the geographer and historian Stravon (67 BC-23 BC) and the Latin writer Plinius (23-79AC). The first reference to Antiparos with its present name was made in the 13th century. However, the word is ancient. According to mythology, Antiparos was one of the 50 sons of Egypt.

He was murdered, along with 48 of his brothers, by his stepmother, which was one of the 50 Danaides. The first findings reveal that Antiparos has been inhabited from the Neolithic Period but the island really developed during the Protocycladic period. Graves dating back to 3000-2500 AC were discovered by the archeologists Bent and Swan in 1893 (Apantima, Soros, Petalides) while in later excavations by Christos Tountas, cemeteries, pottery and statues were discovered at the same sites.

Information concerning the island from the Byzantine times up to the 13th century is rare and the only thing we know is that the island belonged to the Aegean Thema and it was plagued by pirate raids.

In 2007, Markos Sanoudos, took hold of the island and in the 2nd part of the 14th century the island belonged to the family Sommaripa after the wedding of Maria Sanoudou to Gasparis Sommaritas. In the beginning of the 15th century, Antiparos became densely populated and in 1440 was given to the Venetian family Lorentano (as dowry for the wedding of Leonardo Lorentano to Frantseska Sommaripa). Lorentano carried here farmers and built the Antiparos Castle. Later in 1480 Antiparos along with Ios and Anafi came to the Venetian family Pizani.

In 1537, Harientin Bar Barossa attacked the island where it fell to and remained under Ottoman reign until 1770, when the brothers Orlof took hold of it. Following the Orlof incident, the island once again came under Ottomans rule while being repeatedly attacked by pirates. Finally the islands long plight with history ended when it became part of the Greek state in 1830.