In the Mediterranean Sea, this island is the fourth largest island. Its geographical position has more than once become the cause of the conflict between France and Italy, both of these states claimed it. At the moment, the history of Corsica is inseparable from the French, although the island has a special status.
The first inhabitants
If we talk about the history of Corsica as an island, then it began 250 million years ago, but the first people appeared, of course, much later. In the 6th millennium (BC), hunters and gatherers lived in these territories. Then, for several millennia, the land was occupied by representatives of the impressiono culture. The inhabitants of neighboring Sardinia, then the Etruscans, claimed the blessed land.
In the same century, the Greeks appeared here and built the city of Alalia. After them came the Carthaginians, then the Romans. Under the rule of the Roman Empire, the island began to flourish, this continued for quite some time. In the 5th century, the territories began to decline, as too many conquerors appeared. If you list briefly who left traces in the history of Corsica, you get the following list:
- vandals (repeatedly throughout the 5th century);
- the Byzantines took turns with the Goths;
- Franks, which became masters in 754;
- the Saracens, celebrated in 850;
- the Pisans from the beginning of the 11th century.
Since 1077, Corsica has been ruled by representatives of Pisa, but already in 1300 the island belongs to the Republic of Genoa. Until the 17th century, there was a fierce struggle between the Genoese, Aragonese and local residents.
The struggle for independence
In 1729, the Corsicans once again raised an uprising for independence, the next year it was suppressed by Genoa. Five years later, the Corsicans managed to choose their own king, but the period of reign lasted only eight months. The Genoese, with the help of French troops, returned power to their own hands.
The middle of the 18th century will also remain in the history of the island as a period of struggle for independence, the inhabitants revolt in 1741, then in 1752 and beyond. In 1764, the first independent government appeared on the territory of Corsica, its own constitution. The authorities of the Genoese Republic could not cope, so they simply sold the island to France, as they say - "for debts." This is how the period of the island's existence within France begins.
In the memory of the inhabitants of the planet, Corsica will remain the birthplace of one of the greatest people of the 19th century, for it was here that the future emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, was born.
