Ithaque

Last updated
Department of Ithaque
Département d'Ithaque
1797–1798
Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg
SeptinsularRepublic1801.jpg
The three departments of Greece
Status Department of the French First Republic
Chef-lieu Argostoli
38°10′N20°29′E / 38.17°N 20.49°E / 38.17; 20.49
Official languages French
Common languages Greek
Government
 Commissioner
Pierre-Pomponne-Amédée Pocholle
Historical era French Revolutionary Wars
18 October 1798
 Establishment
7 November 1797
 Fall of Cephalonia
29 October 1798
25 March 1802
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Flag of the Republic of Venice.svg Venetian rule in the Ionian Islands
Septinsular Republic Flag of the Septinsular Republic.svg
Pashalik of Yanina Flag of the Ottoman Empire.svg
Today part of

Ithaque (French: [i.tak] ; French for "Ithaca") was one of three short-lived French departments of Greece.

Contents

History

It came into existence after Napoleon's conquest in 1797 of the Republic of Venice, when Venetian Greek possessions such as the Ionian islands fell to the French Directory. It included the islands of Ithaca, Cephalonia and Lefkada, as well as the cities of Preveza, Arta and Vonitsa on the adjacent mainland. Its prefecture was at Argostoli on Cephalonia. The islands were lost to Russia in 1798 and the department was officially disbanded in 1802. Also Preveza, Arta and Vonitsa were captured in 1798 by Ali Pasha, ruler of the Pashalik of Yanina.

During the renewed French control of the area in 1807–1809, the department was not re-established, the constitutional form of the Septinsular Republic being kept.

Administration

Commissioner

The Commissioner of the Directory was the highest state representative in the department.

Term startTerm endOffice holder
18 October 1797 [1] 3 March 1799Pierre-Pomponne-Amédée Pocholle

See also

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References

  1. Bellaire, J.P. (1805). Précis des opérations générales de la division française du Levant. Magimel & Humbert. p.  10. département d'ithaque.