| BETWEEN MYTH ………….. Tradition identifies Corfu as the Homeric Island of
Scheria or the island where the Phaeacians hospitably received Odysseus on his return from
Troy. It is also reputed to be the island where the Argonauts found refuge from the
avenging Cholchic fleet after they had acquired the Golden Fleece. Both myths seem to
stress the hospitality of the Phaeacians as well as the capability of their maritime
skills.
The ‘rudderless boat’, which was established
as the characteristic symbol of the island, is still used today.
AND HISTORY……………
The historical period began for Corfu with the
Corinthian Emigration of 734 – 229 BC The town was built in the Kanoni area as far as
the Lake of Chalkiopoulou (Paliopoli).
Their great naval and economic strength led them
to a break with their ruling city-state, Corinth. Thus we have the first naval battle with
the Corinthians in 664 BC which is followed by the second in 432 BC.
With the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War in 432
BC, Corfu became more strongly allied to Athens and in 374 BC it joined the Athenian
Alliance.
However Corfu soon had to face a succession of
civil wars between the Oligarchic and Democratic forces which had catastrophic
consequences for the island. In 373 BC, as a result of the Athenian alliance, the Spartans
took vengeance on the Corfiots in a new war.
When general Charis, who had been sent by the
Athenians against the tyrant of Ferre in 361 BC, allied himself with the Oligarchics, new
slaughtering and looting took place.
Despite the Corfiot stand against the Macedonians
under Philippos and the victory towards the end of 337 BC, the reign of the Phaeacians
maintained its influence up to 303 BC when it is taken over by the Spartan general,
Kleonimos. In 301 BC it was taken over by the Tyrant of Sicily, Agathokles. In 229 BC,
having vainly withstood the onslaught of the Illyrians, the Corfiots were forced to accept
an occupation garrison with Dimitrius the Pharian as commander. |
