The island of Kythera has a rich and tumultuous history, shaped by its strategic geographical location. Over the centuries, it has passed through the hands of numerous conquerors, each leaving their mark on its storied past.

Kythera's earliest known inhabitants were the Phoenicians, a seafaring people who established trading posts and naval yards on the island. They harnessed the island's resources to produce murex, a precious dye used in the glamorous garments of ancient times, and introduced the worship of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and pure Eros.

The island's strategic importance drew the attention of the Laconians, who expelled the Phoenicians during the height of the Mycenaean Civilization (1500-1100 BC). During the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), Kythera alternated between Athenian and Spartan control until it finally fell to the Spartans in 387 BC.

Following the decline of Arab piracy in the Mediterranean, Kythera was resettled by Peloponnesian and Cretan colonists. However, the island's fortunes continued to ebb and flow with the tides of history.

In 1204, the Venetians seized control of Kythera, marking the beginning of a period of frequent changes in governance. The island found itself caught in the crossfire of Venetian-Turkish conflicts, with the Turks capturing nearby Monemvasia in 1540 and prompting many of its inhabitants to seek refuge in Kythera. A second invasion in 1571 by Turks and Algerians further devastated the island.

The Venetians, aided by the Maniats and Kytherians, briefly reclaimed the island during the siege of Monemvasia in 1715, only to lose it again to the Turks for three years. The Venetian domination was restored in 1718 after the Turkish fleet was defeated.

The French took control of the Ionian Islands, including Kythera, in 1797, but their rule was short-lived. The islands came under Russian and Turkish siege in 1798, and by 1809, the English had gained control. Under English rule, significant developments were made on the island.

Finally, in 1864, Kythera and the other Ionian Islands were united with the rest of Greece, a milestone celebrated annually on May 21st.