Corcyra (polis)

Corcyra (ancient Greek name for the city-state on the island of Corfu) was an important Greek polis in the Ionian Sea. It played a major role in regional maritime trade and politics in the Archaic and Classical periods.

The polis developed urban structures, fortifications and ports on Corfu and is noted in classical sources for its naval strength. It became a focal point in mainland Greek politics in the 5th century BCE and was involved in events that contributed to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War.

Historically the city is recorded as a Corinthian colony that established itself as a powerful independent naval state from the Archaic period onward. Its strategic location on the Ionian Sea made it a frequent participant in alliances and conflicts of classical Greece.

The ancient polis occupied sites on the modern island of Corfu, and archaeological remains of the old urban areas and fortifications are located near the island’s historic centres.

• Polis significance: An important early Greek polis located on the island of Corfu, historically influential in regional trade and naval affairs.

What to See #

• Palaiopolis (ancient city site): The remains and archaeological area of Palaiopolis and related classical-era sites that mark the old urban core of the island's city.