Corcyre

Corcyre (in Greek old Κέρκυρα / Kérkyra , then Κόρκυρα / Kórkyra ), today Corfou, is an island of the Ionian Mer in the North-West of the Greece.

History

Identified by Thucydide with the Schérie of the Phéaciens of the Odyssey , Corcyre is a colony of Érétrie. In 733, it is conquered by Corinthe, which becomes its metropolis. The revolt of Corcyréens, in 664, causes the fall of the Bacchiades in Corinthe and the takeover of the tyrant Cypsélos. Corcyre remains however under the Corinthian supervision.

In 435 begins what following Thucydide, one calls the “business of Corcyre”. Épidamne, colony of Corcyre, fact call to its metropolis against its former oligarchs who, combined with troops of brigands, badger the territory with the city. The oligarchs of Corcyre decline this request the assistance. Épidamne turns then to Corinthe, metropolis of their metropolis: this one accepts, partly by hostility for Corcyre. Furious, Corcyréens face Épidamne, then Corinthe, managing to gain a double success. However, Corinthe is not acknowledged not overcome and prepares its revenge. By prudence, Corcyre then decides to turn to Athens.

The Athenian Parliament starts by disallowing the proposal for an alliance corcyréenne, not wishing to break the thirty years truce concluded with the city péloponnésienne. However, the following day, the Parliament changes opinion: strong of 120 ships, Corcyre is the second Greek fleet, behind Athens. Moreover, it occupies a strategic position, on the road of Greece towards the Sicily. Allied of Corcyre, the Athenians, Athens think would be invincible. The Parliament thus votes a defensive alliance (συμμαχία/ symmakkhía ): she sends thirty ships, in two times, with the order to intervene only in the event of invasion of Corcyre. With the assistance of the first Athenian squadron, Corcyréens face the Corinthians on sea, in the Sybota islands: they are overcome. Corinth is withdrawn prudently vis-a-vis the arrival of the second Athenian fleet, which lets itself set out again the Corinthians. With those of Mégare and Potidée, the business of Corcyre constitutes one of the causes of the Peloponnesian War.

During the war, Corcyre remains at the sides of Athens. However, torn by the internal confrontation between oligarchs and democrats, she saw in 427 a civil war which leads to a great massacre. Corcyre remains the allied one of Athens until in 410, date on which, fallen under hegemony from Sparte it enters the Ligue of the Peloponnese. In 373, it can join the second Athenian Confédération.

In 300, it is briefly with the hands of the conqueror Agathoclès of Syracuse before passing under domination illyrienne towards 237: Démétrios de Phalère installs a garrison there. However, when the Roman troops intervene against Illyriens, Corcyre makes at once its tender ( deditio ) with Rome. Thereafter, it is used as bases naval.