-Ithaca is an island located in the Ionian Sea
-The area of the island is less than 45 sq. miles
-There are a little over 3,000 inhabitants
-The capitol, Vathy (or Ithaki) has one of the world's largest natural harbors
-Ithaca is a very green, lush island surrounded by beautiful water
-Because of its small size, it's not as touristy as the neighboring islands
-Rich people live by the water, poorer people live in the mountains.
-Most of what happens in the mountains is olive trees and goats
-Trading happens by the water, which is why it's more luxurious to live there
Most people in the modern world identify Ithaca with Homer's Odyessey
-He made it the home of the main character, Odysseus
History:
-Mycenaean Period: 1500-1100 BCE
- Ithaca at highest level of ancient history
- Homer's Odyssey
- Ithaca became powerful
- characterized as great navigators and explorers who went on daring expeditions beyond the Mediterranean Sea
- From Mycenaean to Byzantine, population thought to be several thousand (most in the north)
- Population decreased in the middle ages due to the continuous invasion of pirates
- This is why people moved into the mountains to live
- In the southern part, Aetos was founded
- Many important historical objects have been found here, including coins imprinted with the name Ithaca and the image of Odysseus
- This suggests that the island was self-governed
-Ottoman Era: 1484-1499
- Posession of the island was taken by the Ottoman Empire from 1484 to 1499
- During this time, the Venetians showed interest in Ithaca and the Ionian Islands
- In 1499 a war between the Venetians and Turks began
- From 1500 onwards, Venetians controlled the islands
-French Era: 1797-1798
- The Ionian area was under the rule of the First French Republic from 1797-1798
- At first, the French were well received, but later when heavy taxing began it caused tension
- Prominent citizens of Ithaca participated in the secret "Filiki Etairia" which was vital in the organization of the Greek Revolution of 1821
-Pictures!
MAPS:
THE ISLAND:
By: Amalea Chininis
No comments:
Post a Comment