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Roman Era and Early Byzantine Period

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Last updated on October 7th, 2023 at 09:03 am

First Roman era (229BCE– 379CE)

After the Peloponnesian war, internal political conflicts resulted in the disintegration of the alliance.

The island then was captured by Illyrian pirates for a very short period and the Romans exploited this opportunity and captured the island in 229BCE.
Romans gave autonomy to the Corfiots provided they were allowed to use it as a naval base.
Corfu followed the fate of all other Greek city-states, they accepted the sovereignty and protection of Rome from the various invaders and intruders of that era.

During the first century CE. Christianity arrived, brought by two disciples of St Paul, Jason, and Sosipatros.
After the death of emperor Constantine at 337CE the Roman empire divided into three sections- the north (Spain, France, England), east (Constantinople and Asia Minor), and the west which included Greece, Italy, and Rome’s African territories.
Corfu then was included in the so called west empire.

Early Byzantine period (379CE– 562CE)

At the time of emperor Theodosius (339CE) the Roman empire was re-divided into east and west, Corfu then belonged to the eastern empire and this period known as early Byzantine lasted for about three centuries.
During this period the whole island was exposed to frequent barbarian raids and pirate invasions.
Medieval times

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