Corfu, or Kerkyra in Greek, is a beautiful island in the Ionian Sea, off the western coasts of Albania and Greece. It is famous for its natural beauty, its rich history and its diverse cultural heritage. Corfu has been inhabited since the 8th century BC and has witnessed the rise and fall of many civilizations and nations that have left their mark on its landscape, architecture, art, language, cuisine and traditions. In this blog post, we will explore how Corfu became a cultural melting pot and what are the influences of different civilizations and nations that ruled the island.
The Ancient Period
The first settlers of Corfu were the Phaeacians, a mythical people who were said to be excellent sailors and hospitable hosts. According to Homer’s Odyssey, they welcomed Odysseus on his way back to Ithaca and helped him reach his home. The Phaeacians were probably based on the real inhabitants of Corfu, who had contacts with other cultures of the Mediterranean, such as the Egyptians, the Phoenicians and the Cretans.
The island was colonized by the Corinthians in the 8th century BC and became known as Corcyra. It soon developed into a powerful maritime city-state that competed with its mother city Corinth for trade and influence. Corcyra was involved in several wars and alliances with other Greek states, such as Athens, Sparta and Syracuse. It also participated in the Battle of Sybota in 433 BC, which was one of the largest naval battles in ancient history and a catalyst for the Peloponnesian War.
Corcyra was conquered by the Macedonians under Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC and became part of his empire. After his death, it was ruled by various successors, such as Cassander, Pyrrhus and Agathocles. In the 3rd century BC, it joined the Aetolian League, a confederation of Greek states that opposed the Macedonian domination. In 229 BC, it became a member of the Epirote League, another alliance of Greek states that was led by the Molossian king Pyrrhus II.
The Roman Period
Corfu was annexed by Rome in 148 BC after the Third Macedonian War. It became part of the province of Illyricum and later of Epirus Nova. It enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity under Roman rule, as it was a strategic location for trade and communication between Rome and the East. It also benefited from Roman infrastructure, such as roads, aqueducts and baths. Corfu was visited by several Roman emperors, such as Augustus, Nero, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius.
In 395 AD, Corfu became part of the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium. It faced several invasions and raids by barbarian tribes, such as the Goths, the Huns and the Vandals. It also suffered from earthquakes and plagues that reduced its population and wealth. However, it remained loyal to Byzantium and resisted several attempts by other powers to take over it, such as Venice, Genoa and Normandy.
The Medieval Period
In 1204, Corfu was captured by Venice as part of the Fourth Crusade that sacked Constantinople. Venice established a feudal system on the island and appointed a governor or provveditore to rule it. Venice also fortified Corfu with castles and walls to protect it from Ottoman attacks. Corfu became one of the most important Venetian possessions in the Adriatic Sea and a bulwark of Christian Europe against Muslim expansion.
Corfu experienced a cultural renaissance under Venetian rule. It adopted many aspects of Venetian culture, such as language, architecture, art, music and cuisine. It also developed its own identity as a cosmopolitan and multicultural society that welcomed people from different backgrounds and religions. Corfu was home to many prominent figures of literature, science, philosophy and politics, such as Ioannis Kapodistrias (the first governor of independent Greece), Dionysios Solomos (the national poet of Greece) and Nikolaos Mantzaros (the composer of the Greek national anthem).
Corfu also faced many challenges under Venetian rule. It had to endure several sieges by the Ottomans, who tried to conquer it several times but failed. The most famous siege was in 1716, when the Corfiots, led by Count Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg, repelled a huge Ottoman army of 33,000 men with only 8,000 defenders. Corfu also suffered from social and economic problems, such as poverty, inequality, corruption and piracy.
The Modern Period
In 1797, Corfu was ceded to France by Venice as part of the Treaty of Campo Formio that ended the War of the First Coalition. Corfu became part of the French department of Corcyre and enjoyed a brief period of liberal reforms and democratic ideals. However, it was soon occupied by a Russo-Turkish alliance that drove out the French and established the Septinsular Republic, the first autonomous Greek state under Ottoman suzerainty.
In 1807, Corfu was returned to France by Russia as part of the Treaty of Tilsit that ended the War of the Fourth Coalition. Corfu became part of the French Empire and was administered by General François-Xavier Donzelot. Corfu was again besieged by a British-Russian-Turkish coalition that forced the French to surrender in 1814. Corfu became a British protectorate and was incorporated into the United States of the Ionian Islands.
In 1864, Corfu was united with Greece as part of the Treaty of London that ended the Crimean War. Corfu became part of the Kingdom of Greece and was administered by a Greek governor. Corfu participated in the Greek War of Independence and the Balkan Wars and contributed to the national liberation and unification movements. Corfu also faced many difficulties, such as political instability, social unrest and economic decline.
In 1916, Corfu became the temporary seat of the Serbian government-in-exile during World War I. Corfu hosted more than 150,000 Serbian soldiers and refugees who fled from the Austro-Hungarian occupation of their country. Corfu also became the site of the Corfu Declaration, a document that laid the foundations for the creation of Yugoslavia after the war.
In 1923, Corfu was briefly occupied by Italy as part of the Corfu Incident, a diplomatic crisis that erupted after the murder of an Italian general on Greek soil. The League of Nations intervened and resolved the dispute by imposing a fine on Greece and demanding an apology from Italy.
In 1941, Corfu was invaded by Italy as part of World War II. It became part of the Italian governorate of Dodecanese and suffered from oppression, famine and resistance. In 1943, it was occupied by Germany after Italy’s surrender and faced more atrocities and massacres. In 1944, it was liberated by British forces and rejoined Greece.
In 1947, Corfu became part of the newly established Hellenic Republic or Greece. It recovered from the war and experienced a period of growth and development. It also became a popular tourist destination and attracted visitors from all over the world. It preserved its cultural heritage and celebrated its diversity and uniqueness.
Conclusion
Corfu is a fascinating island that has a long and rich history. It has been influenced by many civilizations and nations that have ruled it over time. It has also developed its own culture that reflects its diversity and identity. Corfu is a cultural melting pot that offers a unique experience to its visitors.
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