Ionian Islands

Lore & Background

The islands were settled by Greeks possibly as early as 1200 BC and certainly by the 9th century BC. In ancient times, they were mostly a backwater, except for the conflict between Kerkyra and Corinth in 434 BC, which triggered the Peloponnesian War. Ithaca is traditionally identified as the home of Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, though the geography of the real island cannot be made to fit Homer's description. Under Byzantine rule, the islands formed the theme of Cephallenia and faced Saracen raids and Norman attacks. After the Fourth Crusade in 1204, Venice began acquiring some islands (e.g., Corfu and Paxos), but others came later: Kythira in 1363, and Lefkada not until 1684 after Ottoman rule. By the late 17th century, all seven principal islands were under Venetian control, though they were not the only Greek-speaking region to escape full Ottoman domination—areas like the Mani Peninsula and Sfakia in Crete also remained independent or semi-autonomous.

Reader's Guide

The Ionian Islands' significance lies in their unique historical trajectory as a Venetian-controlled territory that remained outside Ottoman rule, fostering a distinct cultural blend of Greek and Italian influences. This status made them a refuge for Greek intellectuals and freedom fighters during the rise of Greek nationalism. After brief French and Russian-Ottoman rule, the islands became the British-protected United States of the Ionian Islands in 1815. British administration introduced modern education, justice, and infrastructure, but islanders increasingly pressed for union with Greece. In 1864, Britain ceded the islands to Greece, bolstering the new King George I. Today, the islands are administratively part of the Ionian Islands Region, except Kythira, which belongs to Attica. Their legacy includes a distinct cultural identity, Venetian architectural and linguistic influences, and a role in the development of the modern Greek state.

Did You Know?

• The Ionian Islands are traditionally called the Heptanese, meaning 'Seven Islands'.
• Kythira is not part of the Ionian Islands Region but belongs to the Attica Region.
• During Venetian rule, Venetian was the official language, and many Greeks adopted it for social advancement.
• While the Ionian Islands were largely outside Ottoman control, they were not the only Greek-speaking region to avoid it—the Mani Peninsula and parts of Crete also remained free or semi-autonomous for long periods.