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 The
earliest traces of human life in Zakynthos date from the Neolithic times. In the
areas of Limni Keri, Gerakas, Vasilikos, Alykes and in the Gulf of Laganas,
fossils and objects of art have been found. In the middle of the 18th century,
in the Venetian Castle was discovered the cluster of Apollo and Venus, which was
later on taken to Venice.
In the beginning of the 10th century, in excavations that took place in Gaitani
ancient vessels, oil lamps and currencies were found. In later excavations in
the same century, small temples, statues and graves were discovered. Most
gleanings were stolen by the various conquerors and other were lost with the
strong earthquake in 1953. According to tradition and Herodotus, the island owes
his name to its first coloniser, Zakynthos, son of the Trojan King Dardanos, who
arrived in Zakynthos in 1500BC.
Homer is the first to mention the Island and calls it "Iliessa". Stravonos
describes it as "Fruitful" and Pliny as "Fertile". In the ancient times,
Zakynthos together with Kefalonia, made up the Kingdom "Taffies" or "Tilevoes
Islands" where Pterelaos reigned and after him followed Pterelaos, Amphitrionas
(grandson of Perseas- King of Mycenae?s). Other Kings who later on ringed this
Kingdom were Kefalos, Arkisios, Leortis and last but not least the legendary
Odysseus, King of Ithaka.
Zakynthos is
also known to us from the History of Homer and of the Trojan
War as a part of the Kingdom of Odysseus (Zakynthos,
Lefkada, Cephalonia, Ithaka, Akarnania) from which upraised
and detached as an autonomous state in the end of the war.
 Zakynthos
remained autonomous until 155BC when it was forced to accept
the rule of Athens, and later on that of Sparta and
Macedonia. During the Byzantine years, Zakynthos got to know
several piratical and Normadian invasions until 191BC when
it was submitted to the Romans and later on came under the
Byzantine Empire. Christianity was spread in the Island
around AD 34 by Maria Magdalini who stranded in Zakynthos to
her way to Rome An other tradition speaks for Saint
Veatriki, but unfortunately there are no marks nowadays to
confirm it.
In the ends
of the 12th century (1185) Zakynthos was coquetted by the
Normen and around the middle of the15th century by the
Venetians. The Venetian rule had the greatest influence in
the cultural heritage of Zakynthos, as it encouraged the
growth of fine arts, agriculture and trade. The influence of
the Renaissance and the Illuminism is very strong, and soon
rendered Zakynthos as the richest in culture and economy,
island of the Ionian. When the Venetians took over,
Zakynthos was found desolated from the various sacks and
violations the Turks had caused in 1480. However, Zakynthos
revived immediately as the Venetians, created important
works of infrastructure, built the Castle and deployed the
city up to the sea, where with the passing of the years, a
large and popular commercial harbour was created. During
this period Zakynthos got to know years of peace and have
big economic growth.
During the
stay of the Venetians and with the flourish of the Royal
Oligarchic Constitution, the community was divided in
Nobles, Burghers, Peasants and in the popular Popolaros. It
was at this time when in Zakynthos took place the first
Greek popular revolution, when the more inferior class
objected to the nobles (1628-1632). In 1789 the ideas and
preaching?s of the French revolution for social equality and
justice, reached Zakynthos, and were adopted by the
Zakynthians who then formed unions similar to the ones of
Jacobins. The arrival the French Republicans in the island
in 1797 became acceptable with enthusiasm and celebration.
Then the Zakynthians burned the Golden Bible and planted the
tree of Freedom in the square Saint Markos. The titles of
the nobles were abolished, and the Burghers, the farmers and
Popolari took over the Local Administratio.
However, as
the social and economic problems of island continued to
exist, the Zakynthians sought new protectors.
In 1800 and
after the Condition of Russia with Turkey, the Eptanisian
State was founded as an independent State.
In 1806 the
French came back but in 1809 the English arrive, and took
over the United States of the Ionian, a group they had
formed on their own.
In 1818 the
headquarters of the Philiki Eteria were transferred in
Zakynthos, with the first initiate being the legendary
Theodoros Kolokotronis.
The presence
of the English was considered positive (1809-1864) as
despite the several democratic freedoms suspended, the
English they never created any social conflicts. They
created a spirit, which during the Revolution of 1821 played
a very important role in the role of Zakynthos.
The island
became a place of invitation for the members of Filiki
Eteria and sheltered many fighters of the under the rule of
Turks then, Greece. During the Revolution of 1821, the
Zakynthians supported the English and the island then
developed to a centre of English speaking revolutionists who
seeks the English protection.
In 1824, Dionysios Romas set up a committee to supply the
Freedom fighters.
When however the English discovered the presence of the
Filiki Eteria in Zakynthos, they started prosecutions.
The road to
the Freedom opened in 1858 when (with W. Gradsotone was send
from Queen Victoria) King Othonas was sent away and England
chose George A as a monarch. It was then when England ceded
the Ionian Islands to the Greek state and in 21st May in
1864, the Greek Flag was raised in the island for good.
Since then, a
new chapter opened for Zakynthos that set the Zakynthian
presence in all the Greek adventures strong and important.
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