Mythology - Zakynthos island
We learn about the origins of the settlement of Zakynthos from the writings of the ancient Greek poet Homer, who mentions it in his epics The Iliad and The Odyssey. He describes Zakynthos as an island full of forests and claims that the original inhabitants of the island were settlers from the Peloponnesian area, specifically Arcadia. The founder of the island is said to be Zakynthos, son of the Trojan king Dardanus.
In the oldest Greek myths, the island appears as a favourite resting place and pastime of the god Apollo, who used to play the lyre under the local laurels and sing about the beauty of the island, and of Artemis, the goddess of hunting, who liked to wander through the stunning local countryside.
According to Greek mythology, he was the first ruler of Zakynthos. Around 1500 BC, he left the Arcadian city of Psofida with his fleet and landed on the island of Zakynthos, which he named. Here he and his men founded an acropolis, which they named "Psofida" in memory of their homeland (today the peak is known as Bochali).
Zakynthos, as the founder of the island, is immortalised on various coins and is the symbol of the whole island. As a symbol, Zakynthos is usually depicted holding a snake, because according to some legends he freed the island from snakes.
The island was then conquered by King Arkeisos of Cephalonia and subsequently Zakynthos (also named Zante) came under the rule of Odysseus, son of the Ithacan king. Odysseus engaged the island in a campaign against Troy. After the end of the Trojan War and his return to Ithaca, Odysseus granted Zante autonomy and democratic status. This treaty was the first of its kind in the entire Hellenistic era and lasted for more than 650 years.
Did you visit this place and do you have some additional informations, interessting observation or photos?