Ionian Sea
The Ionian Sea is a significant body of water located to the south of the Strait of Otranto, serving as the southern extension of the Adriatic Sea. It is bordered by the heel of Italy to the west and northwestern Greece to the east. This sea is well-known for its picturesque Ionian Islands, which include Corfu, Cephalonia, Ithaca, and Zante, among others. The name "Ionian" has origins linked to mythology, specifically to the figure Io, who, according to legend, swam across the sea.
Historically, the Ionian Sea has played a crucial role in naval warfare, notably during the civil war between Antony and Octavian in 31 BC. The successful crossing by Octavian's admiral, Marcus Agrippa, marked a pivotal moment in the conflict, leading to Antony's eventual defeat at the Battle of Actium. The Ionian Sea not only serves as a geographical landmark but is also steeped in rich history and cultural significance, reflecting the diverse narratives of the regions it connects.
Subject Terms
Ionian Sea
Either (1) a synonym of the Adriatic Sea, or (2) the southern continuation of that sea, south of the Strait of Otranto, between the heel of Italy and northwestern Greece: the sea in which the Ionian Islands—Corcyra (Corfu), Leucas, Cephallenia (Cephalonia), Ithaca, Zacynthus (Zante) etc.—are located
Etymologically as well as geographically, the Ionian Sea has nothing to do with the Ionians or Ionia: its `o’ is not long (omega) but short (omicron), and its name was derived by Aeschylus from the mythical Io who swam from one coast to the other (though a later, alternative version instead derived the word from the Illyrian Ionios, son of Dyrrhachos).
The most remarkable crossing of the sea in historical times inaugurated the civil war between Antony and Octavian (the future Augustus) in 31 BC, when Octavian's admiral Marcus Agrippa sailed across, from west to east, much earlier in the year than naval opinion had considered practicable; and not even by the direct route, since he successfully made a long detour to Mothone in southern Greece. Antony's military position never recovered from this daring move, and his defeat at the battle of Actium was its logical outcome.