‘Corfu from the Benitza Road, on the hill of Gastouri’ - 1862. Edward Lear (1812-1888)

Kerkyra or Corfu was named Corcyra in ancient times for Corcyra, mistress of Poseidon. Legend has it their offspring, Phaeax, became the founder of the ancient Phaeacian race. Greek name, Kerkyra, is related to the powerful water deity Poseidon, god of the sea, who fell in love with the beautiful nymph Korkyra. Poseidon brought Korkyra to the hitherto unnamed island and, in marital bliss, offered her name to the place: Korkyra, which gradually evolved to Kerkyra (Doric). They had a child they called Phaeax, after whom the inhabitants of the island were named Phaeakes, in Latin Phaeaciani.