Roman Administration (229 BC – 395 AC) in Corfu
Since Corfu asked for Roman protection, the Romans gave to the island free privileges. It had autonomy but it was not totally independent. The Romans considered Corfu to be allied with them, so the island was allotting the ports and the navy. The Corfiots had judicial independence, and also the right to produce coins without the emperor’s head as an emblem as they had their own administration. They had not the right to decide on war or peace with other areas; in which case they needed the permission of Rome. Corfu lost the military and nautical power, as there were permanent Roman guards and roman navigation taking over the places where there were problems. But, still, Corfu island was a big commercial link between East and West.
The public baths with well-preserved mosaic were discovered in 19th century, aged around the roman times, near the seaside village in Benitses and in Acharavi.
During the reign of Constantine the Great, Corfu was under the administration of Macedonia. In 395 AC, the sons of Theodosios the Great, Arcadios and Onorios, divided the state into the East and West administrations. Corfu then was under the administration of the East Roman State. The Eastern Roman State ruled the island politically and the Pope of Rome ruled it ecclesiastically.
The orthodox christian church established in Corfu during the 1st century from the students of Apostle Pavlos, Jason and Sossipatros. Sossipatros was caught and burned because he refused to make sacrifices to the ancient religion and Jason became the first Bishop of Corfu until his death. They were both declared Saints by the church and their celebration day is on 29th of April. Their relics are buried in the church devoted to them at Anemomylos in Garitsa. There are two inscriptions of tombs at the above area.







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