The island of Ithaki was continuously inhabited, even during its lower periods, for almost six thousand years in most of its historical periods it was never totally isolated, due to its traditional marine activity that kept it in contact with other distant civilizations. A small and poor island, Ithaca was influenced and or dominated by the most powerful states of each period. The periods of the different conquerors that influenced its historical evolution are mentioned in the following text.
The origin of the first inhabitants of the island, which was during the last years of the Neolithic Period (4000-3000 B.C.), is unknown. The traces of buildings, walls and a road from this time period prove that life existed during the Early Hellenic era (3000-2000 B.C.). In the Pre-Mycenaean years (2000-1500 B.C.) some of the Population migrated to the southern part of the island. The buildings and walls that were excavated showed that the life-style of this period had remained primitive.
 During the Mycenaean period (1500-1100 B.C.) Ithaca rose to the highest level of its ancient history. The island became the capital of the Cephalonian states, which included the surrounding islands, and the opposite lands, and was referred to as one of the most powerful states of that time. The Ithacans were characterized as great navigators and explorers with daring expeditions reaching further than the Mediterranean Sea..
The famous epic poems of Homer, the Iliad (1193 -1184 B.C.), and the Odyssey (1184-1174 B.C.) relate to this period depicting the political, cultural, and social life on the island.
 Soon after Ulysses' reign ended, the state's power diminished, and it became subject to the Dorian rule (1100-800 B.C.). Ithaca, no longer an important centre was under the jurisdiction of the nearest large island.
During the ancient Hellenic prime (800-180 B.C.) the Corinthians neglected the small and barren island. Independent organized life continued in the northern and southern part of the island. In the southern part, in the area of Aetos the town Alalcomenae was founded.
From this period many objects were found from excavations, which were of important historical value. Among these objects were the coins imprinted with the name Ithaca and the image of Ulysses and that it was self- governed.
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The rule of the Roman Empire (180 B.C.-394 A.D.) did not alter the way of life on the island. The majority of the population lived on the fertile land at the northern part of the island, but a few also inhabited the area in the south, known today as Vathy.
The objects of adoration towards the ancient gods and Ulysses discovered, showed that old religion existed and remained until the end of the era. During the Byzantine period (394-1185 A.D.) Ithaca was annexed to Cephallonia and both islands were under the authority of the Epirus province. The Byzantine Empire coerced the population into paying heavy taxes for any property or income they owned.
They also had to deal with invasions from pirates, which forced them to seek refuge up in the mountains, where they established their homes and remained there until the Venetian rule. During this period the Christian religion was instituted and churches and monasteries were erected in different areas of Ithaca.
During these years a town named Jerusalem was built above the Bay of Polis. Unfortunately this town due to powerful earthquakes, fell to ruins and collapsed into the sea. It has been reported that a few decades ago the ruins could be seen from a height over the bay.
The Norman Occupation (1185-1204 A.D.) is the first in a number of continuous but rather short dominations, which altogether lasted for almost three centuries.
During the Norman rule Ithaca became part of the Cephallonian-Zante county and was somewhat neglected. The county is ceased by the Normans to the Orsini Family of Rome (1204-1357 A.D.) who controlled the island by force with the cooperation of the pirates. The Orsini's rule ended by King Richard of Napoli, who placed the country under the jurisdiction of the Toques Family (1357-1479 A.D.). The Toques strengthened the county developing it into an independent state with a well-equipped army and naval fleet. They kept their authority until 1479. They abandoned the islands when they were informed that the then very powerful Turks were planning to annex the island to the Ottoman Empire.
In 1479 the Turkish forces landed on the island setting the villages on fire, plundering, killing people and taking them captives. Ithaca became desolate and isolated. Many of the people fled from the island out of fear of the Turkish occupiers. Those that remained hid up in the mountains to avoid the pirates who controlled the channel between Cephallonia and Ithaca and the bays of the island. In the following five years the Turks, Toques and Venetians placed claims on the islands diplomatically.
The possession of the islands was finally given to the Turkish Empire (1484-1499 A.D.). During this time the Venetians had strengthened into major power with an organized fleet. The Ionian Islands were part of their pursuits, and in 1499 a war between the Venetians and the Turks started. The allied fleets of the Venetians and the Spanish besieged Ithaca, and the other islands. The fleets prevailed, and from 1500 A.D. the Venetians controlled the islands. According to a treaty of 1503, Ithaca, Cephallonia and Zante belonged to the Venetians, and Lefkada to the Turks.
The Venetian rule (1504-1797 A.D.) of lthaca officially began in 1504 with an appointed governor representing Venice. In order to build up Ithaca, the Venetians offered the sale of land for cultivation leaving a tax- free period for the first five years.
This offer attracted a number of people from the surrounding islands and land, to come and settle on the island. In the beginning of this time period the people remained in the mountain villages, until the Venetians established themselves because the pirates still controlled the surrounding sea. The coasts developed new settlements, the population grew and Vathy became the capital of the island. In 1563 a Cephallonian governor represented the rulers, and had the responsibility of the tax collection; but after continuous protests from the people, in 1697 the island was controlled by two elected lthacans.
 The population steadily increased to 4,500 by the middle of the 17th century and reached a total of 10,000 at the end of the Venetian period. In that period the systematic cultivation, especially that of the raisin, which large amounts were exported, brought about a better economical situation for the people. In the same century ships were built on the island to confront the pirates. Within a short period of time a remarkable naval force was created with the over fifty large ships in its fleet and many excellent sailors from the population.
During the Venetian occupation Ithaca was considered a semi-independent island ruled with a liberal and democratic system, and was the only Ionian island where no aristocracy, upper and lower classes existed. Production, export and shipping were the main factors of the economical and social improvement on the island.
A few years after the French revolution took place, the Ionian area came under the rule of the French Democrats (1797-1798 A.D.) and the island became the honorary capital of Cephallonia, Lefkada, and part of the Greek mainland, which formed the Ithacan country.
 The population welcomed the French, who took care in the control of the administrative and judicial systems, but later the heavy taxation they demanded, caused a feeling of indignation among the people. During this short historical period the new ideas of system and social structure greatly influenced the inhabitants of the island.
At the end of 1798 the French were succeeded by Russia and Turkey (1798-1807 A.D.) who were allies at that time. Corfu became the capital of the Ionian States, and the form of government was democratic with a fourteen-member senate in which Ithaca had one representative.
The Ithacan fleet flourished when it was allowed to carry cargos up to the ports of the Black Sea. In 1807, according to an agreement with Turkey the Ionian Islands, once again came under the French rule (1807-1809 A.D.). The French quickly began preparing to face the English fleet, which had become very powerful, by building a fort in Vathy.
In 1809 England gained possession of the Ionian Sea and Ithaca after the siege on the French fort at Vathy. Under the English rule (1809 - 1864A.D.) "The United States of the Ionian Islands" was formed, governed by a constitution, which was imposed in 1817, and one Member represented Ithaca in the Ionian Senate. In the years of the Hellenic Revolution against the Turkish occupation, Ithaca was one of the islands where hospitality and medical care were offered to the revolutionaries.
 A number of Ithacans also participated in the Hellenic fleet. The population steadily increased and reached a total of 15,000 by the end of the English period. A few people emigrated, most drawn to Romania, the number of sailors was increasing and several Ithacans kept high positions either in intellectual or financial areas in Europe.
The island and the people were progressing in all fields and there was a lot of construction including that of the road from Vathy to Northern Ithaca.
 Productivity, trade, private and communal education were factors that increased the standard of living on the island. During this period there were visits by many Homerists and Historians. They investigated the areas that were referred to in the Odyssey.
During the last years of the English rule three main parties were formed. The most important of the three was the Radical Party, which supported the Union with Greece.
Finally, because of the international situation in Europe and after a series of negotiations, in 1864 England granted the Ionian Islands to Hellas.
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