The historical past of Corfu

The historical past of Corfu

The Corfu identity

>>> Corfu’s identity has configured by its turbulent past. A short view of the island’s background gives prominence to its timeless unique profile

The Paleolithic era

>>> According to the predominant version, Corfu was part of Greece’s mainland during the Paleolithic era, the creation of an independent island occurred during Neolithic era (10.000-8.000 B.C.) when the ice melted and the level of the sea rose. Neolithic traces were found in Sidari

Multiple Choice

The first neolithic traces were found in Corfu:

• in Paleokastritsa

• in Sidari

• in Glyfada

Bronze Age settlemetnts

>>> Also, in Kefali, Afionas and Ermones, archeological excavations uncovered Bronze Age settlements

Multiple Select

Archeological excavations uncovered Bronze Age settlements in:

• Kefali

• Afionas

• Ermones

The first colonies

>>> The first Greek colonization of the island (775 -740 B.C), by the Eretrians from Euboea, soon followed by Dorian refugees from Corinth in 750 B.C

>>> A few years later, the ancient city of 'Paleopolis' was found by Corinthians since they had expelled the Eretrians. Corfu became a commercial center with a strong naval force, and independent

Multiple Choice

The ancient city of 'Paleopolis' was found by:

• the Corinthians

• the Eretrians

Politics and War

>>> The strong political power however divided the island into two, the Democrats and the Oligarchs

>>> Corfu requested support from the Athenians, giving rise to the well-known Peloponnesian war. Corfu’s alliance with Athens lasted a century until 338 B.C

The history continues...

>>> At that point (382 B.C- 336 B.C) the Macedonians under King Philip II took control of the island

>>> King Philip II domination was followed by the Spartans, the Syracusians, the Illyrians and finally the Romans

The Romans reign

>>> Under the Romans reign, public works such as roads and buildings were built and Christianity was spread, by the assistance of Jason and Sosipatros, disciples of Saint Paul

>>> Corfu was also inhabited for several centuries by the Normans and the Franks before falling under the Venetian Rule

The Venetian domination

>>> The Venetian domination lasted for four centuries and determined Corfu’s unique profile

>>> Corfiots got familiar with a highly intellectual way of life

>>> However, in 1797 Venice surrender Napoleon Bonaparte’s empire and Corfu became part of the French state

The British Rule

>>> The ideology of the French Revolution inspired the locals who began dreaming of their own independence

>>> So, in the year 1814 and under the British Rule, the Ionian Islands were declared an independent state which led to economic recovery, and the establishment of emblematic institutions as the first Greek University and the Ionian Academy

Multiple Choice

The Ionian Islands were declared an independent state which led to economic recovery, and the establishment of emblematic institutions as the first Greek University and the Ionian Academy under:

• The British Rule

• The Venetians

• The Napoleon Bonapart's Empire

Unification with modern Greece

>>> Unification with modern Greece was concluded in 1864 under the Treaty of London

>>> The first governor of independent Greece after the revolution of 1821, founder of the modern Greek state, and distinguished European diplomat Ioannis Capodistrias was born in Corfu

Multiple Choice

Unification of Corfu with modern Greece:

• was concluded in 1864 under the Treaty of Paris

• was concluded in 1864 under the Treaty of London

Present day

>>> In 2007, the city's old town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage

>>> The 1994 European Union summit was held in Corfu

Thank you for watching!

3rd Gimnasium of Corfu