The scene of Odysseus meeting with Nausika has inspired many artists

Corfu History

Mythological Approach

Corfu is mentioned for the first time in Odyssey by Homer. There we learn about the existence of the island of Feakon, about how Odysseus was shipwrecked on the coast of Corfu, about how Nausika the daughter of the king Alkinoou found him and about how the hospitable Feakes helped him return to his home Ithaca. Much later Apollonios from Rhodes puts Corfu in the Argonautical mythological cycle and places the wedding of Iasonas and Mydeia on the island.

In the prehistorical years Corfu is mentioned with the names Drepano, Sxeria or island of Feakon, Faiaka. The name mentioned last derived from the first king of the island who was called Faiaka. The heir of Faiaka was Nausithos son of Poseidon and Perivoia and his heir was his son Alkinoos, the wise and hospitable king of Odyssey.

Although many archaic place-names are saved and in spite of the archaeological researches and the findings scientists have not managed to equate the mythological kingdom of Faiakon with some Mycenaean installation. Corfu until the moment of its colonization by the Corinthians with their chief Hersicrati in 734 B.C. seemed to have a larger relationship with the civilizations of South Italy than with the Mycenaean people and there is a void in history of Corfu's prehistory.

HISTORY OF CORFU