Cephalonia: The Largest Ionian Island

Cephalonia (Kefalonia) is the largest Greek island of the Ionian Sea in Greece.

Matt Sims, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The island received its name from the mythical hunter Cephalus, The First King of Cephalonia, son of the god Hermes, God of All Trades and the princess Herse. Cephalus went into exile after accidentally killing his wife Procris while hunting. There he met Amphitryon, the king of Athens, and offered him his help in the war against the original inhabitants of Cephalonia.

After the victory, Amphitryon gave the island to Cephalus. Four of Cephalus’ sons, Sami, Pronoi, Pali and Krani, gave their names to the four cities of Cephalonia, which were independent republics and had their own currency. For this reason, the island was also called Tetrapolis (four cities) in ancient times. These four cities can still be found in Kefalonia today.

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Evangelia

Evangelia Hatzitsinidou is the creator and author of www.greek-gods.info which has been merged with Olympioi.com. She has been writing about Greek Mythology for almost twenty years. A native to Greece, she teaches and lives just outside Athens.