In ancient history, there are several versions of how the island of Zante got its name. Homer mentions the island first and calls it 'yliessa' which means woody. Stravon called it 'evgono' which means fertile and plinios 'eforo', meaning fruitful. However, the version that prevails is that Zante, son of the king of Troy, Dardanos, came to the island around 1600 - 1500 B.C. bringing settlers from the Arcadian town of Psofida. Greek Mythology says that upon king Odysseus return after his long adventures, to Ithaca, he killed his wife's suitors, twenty of which were from Zante. It was for this reason that Zante rebelled and was separated from the kingdom of Ithaca. After that the island will have democratic rule for about 650 years. It flourishes economically and grows in population and forms its first colony in Spain, the town of Zakantha and others later in Crete, Kidonia and Paros.
Zante later takes part in the Peloponesian war on the side of the Athenians. Later still it takes part in the expedition against Sicily and is defeated. In 217 B.C. Philippos II of Macedonia takes possession of Zante and its allies. In 214 B.C. it is seized by the Romans and then again by Philippos II until 150 B.C. The Zakynthians repeatedly rebel and are repossessed by the Romans until finally they become part of the Roman sub-prefecture of Achaia. During the period Zante was under the rule of the Roman Empire, it often enjoyed privileges such as its own Municipality, Parliament, laws and coins.
It is believed Christianity was spread on the island by Mary Magdalen and Mary of Cliopa who were going to Rome. Others say that it was St. Beatrice who taught Christianity to the Zakynthians. Zante became part of the Byzantine Empire around 324 - 337 A.C. From the decline of the Roman Empire and into the Byzantine years, pirates and other Barbarians attack the island. The Byzantine generals have difficulty in defending it. Around 887 A.C. Zante becomes part of the 'thema' (county) of Cephalonia. During the second crusade, the Venetian fleet then taken again by the Byzantine emperor Emmanuel Comninos seized the island and then again by the Venetians. The Venetians definitely influenced the political, social, financial and cultural life Zante. Despite the immigration of the Venetians, the Zakynthian element survived and often assimilated the foreign leaders.
The intense separation of the classes however, and the cruelty of the nobles and feudalism led to the first but very serious social uprising of modern Greek history known as 'rebellio ton popolaron' (revolution of the people) in the years 1628- 1632 A.C. The end of Venetian rule in Zante came with the abolition of the Democracy of Venice by Napoleon. The Zakynthians positively accepted the conquest by the French in 1797 A.C.. However, during the period of Russian - Turkish occupation 1800- 1807 A.C. there was a revolutionary movement led by Antonio Martinengo. The rebels proclaimed the island independent from the Ionian State and raised the English flags. In 1807 French emperors conquered Zante again.
The period of British domination (1814- 1864) was marked by intense preparations and negotiations among the Zakynthians for the revolution of Greece against the Turks which began in 1821. Many members of the 'Filiki Eteria'. (Society of Friends), who played an important part in the struggle for the liberation of Greece, were sworn in on the island of Zante. Among those was Theodoros Kolokotronis. When the Greek revolution broke out in 1821, thousands of Zakynthians crossed over to Peloponessus to take part. On the 21 st. of May 1864 the Greek flag was finally raised on the fortress of Zante.
Since then, Zante, together with the other Ionian islands connected its destiny to the destiny of the rest of Greece