The origin of the term "Malta" is uncertain, though the modern day variation is from the Maltese language. The more common etymology is that it comes from the Greek word μέλι (meli) ('honey'). The Greeks called the island Μελίτη (Melite) meaning "honey" or "honey-sweet" possibly due to Malta's unique production of honey; Malta has had an endemic species of bee which lives on the island, giving it the common nickname the "land of honey".^[4] Not only was there Greek influence on the island as early as 700 BC,^[5] but the island was later dominated by the Greek-speaking Byzantine Empire from 395 to 870.^[5] Another etymology given is thePhoenician word Maleth meaning "a haven".^[6]