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Topographic map of the Corfu island in Greece

The known history of Corfu dates back to the Mesolithic (after the Paleolithic) and the early Neolithic periods. Corfu (Greek: Kérkyra) is the most northern of the Ionian Islands, is the nearest Greek region to Italy, and it is located less than 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from Albania. The geographical position of Corfu gives the island a large history. In ancient times, the island and its main town were called Corcyre. During the Byzantine era, the island was known as Korypho (from Ancient Greek: Πόλις τῶν Κορυφῶν, meaning "the two peaks on which is built the fortress of the city") in the fourteenth century. During the Venetian era, Corfu was known as Stous Korphous, then later Corfu. The island is sometimes difficult to distinguish in history, as many records refer to the city on the island with the same name. Corfu was established by Corinth, a city and former municipality of Greece. Corfu had difficult relations with Corinth. This is considered to be one of the causes of the Peloponnesian War, which was fought in Athens. When Rome turned to the Eastern Empire, the island was the first step in the expansion of the Roman Empire. After the division of the Roman Empire, the island remained on the border between the Eastern and Western Empire.

In 1054, Corfu was on the border of the Greek and the Latin Rites. Due to the Fourth Crusade (1202–1204), Corfu was the contact between the Latins and the Byzantines, belonging first to the Despotate of Epirus, later the Angevins and then the Venetians. Its position at the mouth of the Adriatic Sea was strategic trade defence of the "Most Serene Republic of Saint Mark" in the Mediterranean. After the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, Corfu was the last Christian island before the Muslim world. Corfu passed into the hands of the French First Republic (forming the department of Corcyre) and Napoleon, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom, within the the British protectorate of the United States of the Ionian Islands. The island later became Greek after the Treaty of London in 1864.

During the First World War, Corfu was occupied by France in 1916, and was joined by the Serbian army. In 1923, the island was bombed and occupied by Italy, and then later occupied by Italy during the Second World War. The capital of Corfu was destroyed by German troops in 1943 when they took over it from Italy. In 1994, the European Union summit in Corfu validated the Enlargement of the European Union and in three new Member States, resulting in the Treaty of Corfu being signed at Achilleion palace that same year.

Prehistory

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Illustration of the city of Corfu from 1488. The image shows many houses, a castle, the sea and ships.
Illustration of the city of Corfu by Bernhard von Breydenbach, in Lyon, 1488

The earliest traces of habitation in Corfu are from Sidari and Diaplo, both settlements in the north-west of the island. Both of these date back to the Mesolithic and the early Neolithic period; to 6000 BC.[1] Both of these periods are very similar to the Campanian culture of southern Italy, but the later Bronze Age layer differs.[2] Fine brown pottery with thin geometric decoration in black paint were created in this time period. These types of pottery are generally considered to be of the Apulian style, but have also been said to be of the Molfettan style. A Bronze Age village was discovered and excavated in Kapo Kephali. In Ermones, 500 metres from the sea, prehistoric mud huts have also been identified.[2] Before colonization of Corfu by Corinth, the island was inhabited by a seafaring people.[3]

Antiquity

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Colony of Corinth

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The first mention of Corfu (known as Corcyra at the time) was written by Herodotus, who said that Corcyra was a colony of Corinth, and that from the foundation of this colony, Corfu and Corinth ceased to agree.[a] Corfu was founded by Corinth in the XVII Olympiad (734 BC).[b][4][5] Corinthians have hunted Eretrians who were already settled in Corfu. Eretria was close to another Corinthian colony, Syracuse in Sicily. The oikiste was one one of Hercules' descendants, Khersikratès.[6] The first city (now known as Palaiopolis was installed on a promontory on the east coast of the island, meaning that there was a port on each side of the island. This promontory was called "Korkyra" or "Kerkyra," meaning the "tail."[7]

Corfu soon became very powerful, to the point when it founded the colonies Epidamnos (present-day Durrës)[8] and Apollonia in Epirus, in 625 or 626 BC. Durrës was founded by Corcyra, and settlers from Corinth and Dorian countries moved to the colonies.[9] When Hippocrates, the tryant of Gela, defeated Syracuse, their people were saved by their military defeat after Corcyra.[10] At the time when Peisistratos was overthrown in Athens, the last king of Corcyra was Lycophron. The monarchy was removed and replaced by a republican government.[6] There was an annual meeting of citizens of Corcyra, where four Prytaneis were elected to govern the city of Corcyra and to render justice.[11]

During the Greco-Persian Wars, Corcyra was requested to be used by the Greeks.[12] The islands had promised to send armed assistance and sixty ships to the Greeks. They did not get past Cape Matapan, and were waiting first to see the outcome of a battle. They had the excuse of "because of Etesian winds, they could not double Cape Malea."[c][13] Corcyra had refused to join any alliance since the victory over Corinth in the seventh century BC, nor against the Carthaginians or Persians.[14] The city had also refused to enter arbitration agreements in maritime disputes with other cities, which allowed them to keep its maritime and commercial power intact.[15]

Peloponnesian War

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Main article: Peloponnesian War

According to Thucydides, the origin of the Peloponnesian War was a conflict between Corcyra and its metropolis Corinth about the colony of Épidamme in 435 BC.[16] Épidamme was repeatedly suffering from attacks from its neighbours, and the colony called for help from Corcyra — who refused to help them.[10] With the increasing autonomy of Corcyra, Corinth lost control of its trade route to Sicily and Magna Graecia. Corinth therefore sent troops and settlers to Corcyra Épidamme. Corcyra demanded that the troops and settlers departed. This demand led to Corcyra sending forty of their ships to besiege the colony. Corinth, assisted by other Greek cities, sent seventy-five ships and 2000 to 3000 hoplites. This fleet met eighty ships south of Corcyra. Corinth lost fifteen ships and all prisoners (excluding Corinthians) were slaughtered. On that same day, Epidamnus (Épidamme) was taken by Corcyra.[17]

In the two following years (434 and 433 BC), Corinth and Corcyra not only fought, but armed themselves with sought allies. Corcyra turned to Athens, with whom they signed a defensive alliance. Ten Athenian ships were sent to Corcyra, with orders to only intervene if the Corinthians were trying to land on Corcyra or territory belonging to it.[18] Corinth attacked Corcyra with 150 ships, some of which belonged to the Peloponnesian allies. The naval battle of the Sybota islands is considered by Thucydides to be using "old tactics" — a clash of hoplites on board ships. Athens then got involved, and the battle was considered a victory by Corcyra. According to Thucydides, "Corcyra had the upper hand in the war against Corinth."[18]

Civil War

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A trireme, which was by Corinthians during the civil war

From 427 to 426 BC, a civil war occurred between the democrats and aristocrats of Corcyra. After a vote, it was decided that Corcyra would remain an ally of Athens. The aristocratic party was in favour of Corcyra, while the other more popular party (democrats) were inclined to Athens. Various leaders of both parties went to court many times; five members of the aristocratic party were sentenced to a heavy fine, and Péithias (the head of the popular party (democratic)) had many charges against him. Péithias was later attacked and killed along with sixty other democrats.[19] Aristocrats gathered at the Citizens' Assembly and voted neutrality of the city in the war. A Corinthian trireme carrying emissary Sparta had landed at Corcyra and shortly after, the aristocratic party launched a new attack against the democratic party. They first defeated the democrats and the survivors fled to the Acropolis of Athens. The democrats managed to get slaves by promising them freedom, while the oligarchs brought eight hundred mercenaries. The following day, another confrontation took place, which the democrats won. To avoid taking the arsenal, the aristocrats set fire to the buildings around the agora.[19]

The next day Nicostratos, a strategist Athenian, arrived with twelve ships and 500 Messenian hoplites. He forced various parties to accept arbitration. It was decided to exchange warships between the two cities, and the democrats thought that they could get rid of their political opponents by sending them to Athens. Rather than embark aristocratic supporters, nearly four hundred men took refuge in the temple of Dioscuri and Hera. The aristocrats were persuaded to come out and exiled on an island.[19] A Peloponnesian fleet of sixty ships tried to take advantage of the situation. Corcyra armed triremes in an emergency and sent them away gradually when they became ready. In addition, the civil war raged on board the same vessel, Corcyraeans. Some vessels were deserted, and on some the sailors fought amongst themselves. Athenian triremes were outnumbered and could not prevent the defeat of Corcyraeans, after they (the Athenians) retreated after losing thirteen ships.[19]

Proponents of oligarchs were repatriated to the island to not be rescued by the Peloponnesian fleet. Aristocrats and democrats then negotiated a reconciliation. Aristocrats agreed to help the civil war with warships. The Peloponnesians were content to ravage the cape (type of headland) of Leukimmè, then retreat. Sixty Athenian triremes arrived as reinforcements. The democrats slaughtered all the oligarchs who remained ashore. Those who took refuge in the temples were convinced to leave, tried and sentenced to death, and some committed suicide. The survivors (nearly 500 people), seized the continental territories of Corcyra, where they led raids against the island of Corfu.[19] They caused enough damage to create a famine in the city of Corcyra. Having failed to convince Corinth or Sparta to help them return to their homeland, they hired mercenaries and landed on the island. There, they burned their ships to prevent them from being used for escape by the other side, and settled on mount Istônè where they continued their raids. Quickly, the survivors seized control of the countryside.[19]

In 425 BC, Athens sent a fleet to help their followers on Corcyra, in the hope of securing the road to Sicily. Democrats helped the Athenian hoplites and oligarchs, resulting in them being sent to Athens to be tried in court. Fearing that the courts do not condemn their allies to kill their enemies, the democrats availed themselves of a ploy to lose. They pushed them to seek escape, making the possibility of an agreement of Athens not likely. Moreover, the Athenians (who were anxious to go to Sicily), were not unhappy to discharge their prisoners on Corcyriens. The democrats savagely massacred their enemies and sold oligarch women as slaves.[20] The civil war later ended after both parties (aristocrats and democrats) lost many people.[19][20]

Sicilian Expedition

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Main article: Sicilian Expedition

Following the civil war, Corcyra remained in the Athenian alliance and participated in its various expeditions.[21] Thus, Corcyra provided fifteen ships and hoplites for the second expeditionary force commanded by Demosthenes, sent by Athens against Syracuse, Sicily in 413 BC.[22] However, their presence at the Battle of Epipolae sent the Athenians aback. Corcyra and Syracuse, linked by ties of colonization, had very close paeans. The Athenian hoplites believed that Syracusiens had broken their ranks. In return for peace, Corcyra resumed its traditional business.[21][22][23]

Roman power

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Position

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The geographical position of Corfu, between the west and east of the Mediterranean, between Rome and Greece continued to make its possession a strategic issue. In 299 BC, Corcyra was besieged by Cassander and was released by Agathocles of Syracuse, who thus became the master of the island. He immediately lost interest of Africa; he became more interested in the island.[24] To preface his wars in Italy, Pyrrhus of Epirus seized the island on his second attempt, either in 295 BC[25] or 280 BC.[26] Corcyra sought to seize Crete, and the people on Corcyra went on an expedition and landed on Crete. However, they eventually repatriated their troops.[26]

Bibliography

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  • Sordinas, Augustus (1970). Stone Implements from Northwestern Corfu, Greece. Memphis State University. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  • Stillwell, Richard; MacDonald; McAlister, William L.; Holland, Marian; Princeton, N.J. (1976). "KERKYRA or Korkyra (Corfu) Greece". Princeton University Press.
  • Thucydides (460—395 BC). The State of Greece from the earliest Times to the Commencement of the Peloponnesian War. Vol. I (1 ed.). J. Vanderspoel, Department of Greek, Latin and Ancient History, University of Calgary. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Thucydides (413 BC). History of the Peloponnesian War. The Internet Classics Archive. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Thucydides (413 BC). History of the Peloponnesian War (I ed.). The Internet Classics Archive. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Thucydides (413 BC). History of the Peloponnesian War (III ed.). The Internet Classics Archive. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Thucydides (413 BC). History of the Peloponnesian War (IV ed.). The Internet Classics Archive. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Thucydides (413 BC). History of the Peloponnesian War (VII ed.). The Internet Classics Archive. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Lacroix, Louis (1853). Islands of Greece. Paris: Firmin Didot. ISBN 2-7196-0012-1.
  • Hachette Livre (1911). Louis Christophe François Hachette (ed.). Joanne Guide. France: Hachette Livre.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Lacroix, Louis (1853). Islands of Greece. Firmin Didot. ISBN 2-7196-0012-1.
  • Mossé, Claude (1984). Archaic Greece from Homer to Aeschylus. Points Seuil. ISBN 202006944x. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  • Herodotus (484—425 BC). Polymnia. Vol. VII. Herodotus. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  • Siculus, Diodorus (60—30 BC). Bibliotheca historica. Vol. XXI. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Hansen, Mogens Herman (2005). An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis. Danish National Research Foundation.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)

Notes

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  1. ^ Thucydides "[The Corinthians led] 300 young people in Sardis of the largest families in Corcyra so we unfettered by eunuchs." See Thucydides III & 413 BC, pp. 48–49. Punishment for killing the son of Periander." See Thucydides III & 413 BC, pp. 52–53.
  2. ^ According to Thucydides III & 413 BC, pp. 52–53, although there is presently no archaeological evidence of this.
  3. ^ French: à cause des vents étésiens, ils n'avaient pas pu doubler le cap Malée

References

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  1. ^ Sordinas 1970, pp. 2—.
  2. ^ a b Stillwell et al. 1976, p. 1.
  3. ^ Thucydides & 460—395 BC, p. 25.
  4. ^ Thucydides III & 413 BC, pp. 48–49.
  5. ^ Thucydides III & 413 BC, pp. 52–53.
  6. ^ a b Lacroix 1853, p. 616. sfn error: multiple targets (2×): CITEREFLacroix1853 (help)
  7. ^ Hachette Livre 1911, p. 470.
  8. ^ Hansen 2005, p. 330.
  9. ^ Mossé 1984, p. 132.
  10. ^ a b Thucydides I & 413 BC, p. 24.
  11. ^ Lacroix 1853, p. 618. sfn error: multiple targets (2×): CITEREFLacroix1853 (help)
  12. ^ Herodotus VII & 484—425 BC, p. 154.
  13. ^ Herodotus VII & 484—425 BC, p. 168.
  14. ^ Thucydides I & 413 BC, p. 32.
  15. ^ Thucydides I & 413 BC, p. 37.
  16. ^ Thucydides I & 413 BC, pp. 24–55.
  17. ^ Thucydides I & 413 BC, p. 25.
  18. ^ a b Thucydides I & 413 BC, p. 47—55.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g Thucydides III & 413 BC, pp. 69–85.
  20. ^ a b Thucydides IV & 413 BC, pp. 46–48.
  21. ^ a b Thucydides VII & 413 BC, pp. 31. Cite error: The named reference "FOOTNOTEThucydides VII413 BC31" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  22. ^ a b Thucydides VII & 413 BC, pp. 33. Cite error: The named reference "FOOTNOTEThucydides VII413 BC33" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  23. ^ Thucydides VII & 413 BC, p. 44.
  24. ^ Siculus XXI & 60—30 BC, p. 3.
  25. ^ Hachette Livre 1911, p. 467.
  26. ^ a b Lacroix 1853, p. 617. sfn error: multiple targets (2×): CITEREFLacroix1853 (help)
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