History – Antiquities of Sami

There used to be a Paleolithic site in Sami, north of the today’s city, findings of which are exhibited in the Museum in Argostoli. Homer in Odyssey gave the oldest reference relating to Sami, where Sami is mentioned as part of the famous King Ulysses’ (Odysseus) kingdom.

In the 5th century BC Sami was mentioned as one of the four cities-countries of Kefalonia: Krani, Pali, Sami and Pronni. The preserved segments of the Acropolis of Sami hint to the period.

Later, in the 2nd century BC (189 BC) Sami strenuously resisted to a possible seize by the Romans, which lasted 4 months. Finally, the city was conquered by the Romans in 188 BC and suffered violent sack, pillage and enslaving. Due to its strategic positioning the city was organized by the Romans and evolved to be an intermediate station of sea travel between Greece and Italy.

Moreover, many archaeological findings have been discovered in Sami such as tombs, baths, an ancient harbour, etc.