ITHAKI TRAVEL GUIDE

ITHAKA > HISTORY

HISTORY

The island is inhabited since Neolithic Age (4000 – 3000 BC) and is believed to be the island of Odysseus.

In 1000 – 800 BC the Dorians conquered Ithaca and later the Corinthians were the ones to dominate. In 180 BC the Romans took over Ithaca and stayed in the island until 394 BC.

After 394 BC Ithaca was ruled by the Byzantine Empire. Everyone was Christianized during that time and many churches and monasteries were built.

In 1185 Normands came to the island and Ithaca was occupied by Orsinis.

In 1204 the Turks prevailed in Ithaca while in 1357 the Venetians came to the island. It is the period where the island suffered from pirate invasions.

In 1479 Turks plundered Ithaca and killed most of the people.

In 1809 the period of the English Rule began and established the independent state of “United States of the Ionian Islands”. In 1864 Ionian Islands became a part of Greece.