Modern day Corfu, known in ancient times as Korkyra, is another island with a history steeped in mythology, from its origin story to its place in several more famous legends. Korkyra was one of the three most powerful maritime nations in the Classical world, joining Athens and Corinth in that distinction. Its original inhabitants are not well understood by historians, though traditional tales offer an explanation. However, by about 730 B.C., Korkyra had received an influx of Corinthian colonists. Despite this connection to Corinth, Korkyra remained largely at odds with her mother city, choosing instead to ally with Athens.

Roman Baths of Palaiopolis on Corfu, By Alkis Pappas – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

During the Hellenistic period, Korkyra endured several sieges and occupations, changing hands throughout the frequent wars and infighting that followed the death of Alexander the Great. With the rise of Rome, Korkyra became an important Roman naval base, eventually attached to the province of Macedonia. It served as Octavian’s base of operations leading up to his confrontation with Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Antium.

What’s in a Name

Korkyra has been given several names throughout history. Before being called Korkyra, the island was apparently known as Drepane, which means scythe. The name likely derived from the sickle shape of the island initially, but it has come to refer to other mythological moments. Apollonius indicates that the island’s name referred to the sickle that Cronus used to castrate his father, Uranus. The sickle was said to be hidden somewhere on the island, and the inhabitants, known as Phaeacians, descendants of Uranus’s blood. Another account says that the sickle hidden on the island belongs to Demeter.

Gorgon at the Artemis Temple pediment, By Dr.K. – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The name Korkyra originally belonged to a beautiful nymph, daughter of the river-god Asopus and sister to Aegina, who also gave her name to a Mediterranean island. Poseidon fell deeply in love with Korkyra, and carried her off to the Grecian island, which in his rapture he named after his new lover. Poseidon and Korkyra had one son, Phaiax, whose name became that of the people of Korkyra, the Phaeacians. The name also may bear some link to the monstrous Gorgon, Medusa, slain by Perseus. An image of the Gorgon featured prominently on the west façade of the temple of Artemis on Korkyra.

Vue du site archéologique de Paleopoli à Corfou (Kardaki_Temple), By Jean Housen – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0.

A Hospitable Nation

Korkyra proved to be a welcoming and hospitable island, offering sanctuary to multiple famous figures in mythological accounts, including Jason and the Argonauts. A hero and heir descended from Hermes, Jason was challenged to retrieve the Golden Fleece in order to reclaim his rightful throne. After numerous adventures during their travels, Jason and his Argonauts arrived in Colchis. The king offered to surrender the Golden Fleece only if Jason performed three tasks – designed to be impossible. Luckily for Jason, the king’s sorceress daughter, Medea, had fallen for the mysterious stranger and assisted him in completing the tasks, absconding with the Golden Fleece, and fleeing the island. On their return journey, pursued by the Colchians, they landed at Korkyra and were welcomed by King Alcinoos. Jason and Medea were married on the island of Korkyra in “Medea’s Cave.”

Ruis of the roman baths in Palaiopolis, By Kritzolina – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The same king also aided another, very famous hero. In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus and his men are shipwrecked near Korkyra and washed ashore on the island thanks to the guidance of Athena. The Princess Nausikaa, washing her clothes in a nearby stream with some friends, found Odysseus and brought him to her father. King Alcinoos not only gladly hosted the hero, but even presented him with the gift of a ship to take him back to his home in Ithaca. Unfortunately, the ship did not survive the journey, but was turned to stone by Poseidon, still infuriated at Odysseus for blinding one of his sons, the Cyclops.

Corcyra Stater 4th century BC. Obverse: Cow standing l., looking back at suckling calf standing r. below. Reverse: K – O – P Double stellate pattern, divided by double line, in linear square frame. Source: Classical Numismatic Group, www.cngcoins.com, used by permission of CNG.

Achilles’ Palace

One of the most famous modern structures on the island also has a connection to mythology, though only through admiration not through tradition. In 1890, the Empress of Austria built a summer palace on Korkyra called the Achilleion. The structure is meant to evoke ancient Grecian architecture and the sprawling palace is covered with paintings and statues dedicated to the great hero, Achilles.

Terrace of Achilleon, CC BY-SA 3.0.

What to See Here?

Korkyra’s Old Town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, but much of this is a result of the medieval fortifications in the city that were built to protect it from invasions by Pirates and the Ottomans. That being said, there are a few traces of the city’s classical past to be seen.

The most prominent classical remnant in Korkyra is the Sanctuary of Artemis, near the Monastery of St Theodore. Dated to about 585 B.C., it is one of the most archaic pseudoperipteral – which simply means free-standing columns at the front, whereas the side columns are engaged, meaning they’re built into the cella wall – Doric order Temple. The temple’s significance derives from its mythological decoration.

Remnants of Artemis Sanctuary in Corfu, By Dr.K. – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Titanomachy at the Gorgon pediment at Artemis Temple in the Corfu museum. By Dr.K. – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

There are a few early Christian remains in Korkyra, including the Church of Haghia Kerkyra.
A range of sculptural remains, and other smaller-scale recoveries from the city, are display in the archaeological museum.

Ruins of Agia Kerkyra church or Paleopoli Basilica, By Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) – Own work, CC BY 3.0.

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Header image: Горгона храм Артеміди Корфу (from the pediment of the Artemis Temple), By Liubomir G – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The specific origins of Antium remain unclear, but archaeologists believe that the Volsci were not the first residents. Later Roman myths would claim that Anteias, the son of Odysseus, founded Antium in the aftermath of Troy. The Romans found themselves in frequent conflict with the Volsci tribe, who made their capital in the city. Antium was a center point in the Roman wars with the Volsci, the backdrop to Shakespeare’s epic play Coriolanus.  The city later morphed from the center of strife to a luxurious resort and tourist town.

The Volsci Wars

The third and lesser known Roman play by William Shakespeare tells the tragic story of Gaius Marcius Coriolanus. A semi-legendary figure, historians over the years have questioned the truth of his existence. Modern scholars tend to believe he was real, but that some of his deeds may have been exaggerated. Multiple ancient historians write of Coriolanus as a factual individual, and it is specious to dismiss them all entirely. Shakespeare based his epic tragedy largely on the Life of Coriolanus by Plutarch. The material is certainly worthy of dramatic depiction.

Coriolanus in Plau am See by Wilhelm Wandschneider (1903), CC BY-SA 3.0.

Born Gaius Marcius, he was a Roman general with a dim view of the masses, making him unpopular. Still, he won great acclaim for his valiant service in the wars with the Volsci. As the Roman army laid siege to Corioli, the Volsci sent soldiers from Antium to relieve the city. Cominius, the consul and leading general, turned the army to face this new threat. He left Titus Lartius, and Gaius Marius under him, to maintain the siege. With the majority of the Romans now gone, a group of Volsci sallied from Corioli to attack. Initially victorious, they chased the Romans back to their camp. There, Marcius and some of his best soldiers darted out to counterattack. He was a vigorous and inspiring soldier, and he rallied the Romans and chased the Volsci back to Corioli. Most of the Romans stopped at the gate, but Marius charged into the city with only a few men.

Coriolanus at the gates of Rome. By Franz Anton Maulbertsch, Public Domain.

Victor and Traitor

Seeing how few attackers they faced, the Volsci surrounded them. Marcius “waged a combat in the city which, for prowess of arm, speed of foot, and daring of soul, passes all belief” (Plutarch).  He pushed the enemy back, and set fire to many houses within the city. Most of the soldiers busied themselves pillaging Corioli. Martius, however, rebuked them for their greed when battle raged on elsewhere. He led his small group of loyal soldiers to find Comitius in battle with the Volsci from Antium. They caught up with them before the fighting had begun, and Martius begged to face the enemy’s best soldiers. Comitius granted his request, and the battle began.

Amazona y bárbaro (Palazzo Massimo alle Terme). Found in Antium, now on display in Rome. By Miguel Hermoso Cuesta – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Martius fought madly in the battle and helped to rout the enemy. When his friends tried to convince him to withdraw and rest, as he was exhausted from battle and heavily wounded, he responded that “weariness was not for victors,” and took off after the fleeing enemy. Comitius honored Martius for his bravery with the cognomen Coriolanus, and he was well-loved for a time. However, Coriolanus retained his callous views of the people. He suggested harsh measures, was eventually put on trial, and rather than appear in court, he fled the city. He went to the Volsci, and offered his services to them, leading them in an assault on Rome. The siege was only broken off when his beloved mother came out to plead with him. He capitulated, and called off the attack, only to be killed by the betrayed and angry Volsci.

Defeat of the Volsci

Roman conflict with the Volsci continued for some time. They only resolved in 338 B.C., when Rome emerged victorious from the Latin Wars at the Battle of Antium. After this battle, Gaius Maenius took the prows of the enemy ships back to Rome to form the rostrum. You can read more about that story here. Rome formed a colony in Antium, and the city became a part of the growing Roman territory.

Theater of Antium: Orchestra. By Jacopo Cherzad – Own work, Public Domain.

As years of peace passed, Antium became an ever more popular resort and tourist town. It boasted an original work by Pythagoras, which brought many visitors, and was also a favorite imperial getaway. Not only that, Antium was the hometown of two Roman emperors, Caligula and Nero. Nero especially loved the town, and built both a new port and an expansive villa there. Several later emperors, including Domitian, Hadrian, and Septimius Severus enjoyed and expanded upon the imperial residence. Until as late as 537 A.D., Nero’s port remained busy. It fell into disuse sometime within the following two hundred years. The city remained largely abandoned until the eighteenth century.

What to See Here ?

The remains of the superb Villa Imperiale Neroniana are visible from the modern beachfront, carved impressively into the rock. Yet to attribute the impressive complex solely to the mad, bad, and dangerous-to-know Emperor Nero would be misleading. The vaulted spaces, pavilions, manmade caves, and luxury constructions (such as spas) actually date back to the late Republic.

Almost nothing remains of Nero’s port; most of it has sunk beneath the Port of Innocenzo. But attached to the Villa of Nero is the Archaeological Museum of Antium. Occupying the ground floor of the seventeenth century Villa Adele, the museum is well worth a visit. It documents Antium’s notable history through snippets of ancient texts and a host of artefacts unearthed during excavations.

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Header image: Roma, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, mosaico parietale da Anzio. Num.cat. 307. By Lalupa – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.