Navigational aids, including lighthouses, were set up to facilitate navigation in the Persian Gulf. In the shadow of the empire, the islands in the Gulf became prosperous, navigation in the Persian Gulf was expanded, and better vessels were used to carry passengers and goods. Kish was, in particular, economically and politically linked with the civilization of the Medes and Persians when they were at the height of their power. With the establishment of the Achaemenid dynasty, the Persian Gulf was profoundly affected. When these civilizations vanished, Kish Island's advantageous position was lost and for a period it was subjected to turmoil and the tyranny of local potentates and other vendors.
Kish Island's strategic geographic location served as a way-station and link for the ancient Assyrian and Elamite civilizations when their sailboats navigated from Susa through the Karun River into the Persian Gulf along the southern coastline, passing Kish, Qeshm, and Hormoz islands. Kish Island has been mentioned in history variously as Kamtina, Arakia ( Ancient Greek: Αρακία), Arakata, and Ghiss.
