Lo “spazio ionico” nelle relazioni internazionali greche: dagli antichi ai moderni

The paper deals with the role of the Ionian sea in the framework of the Greek international relations and tries to highlight its economic and strategic importance. A corridor for invasions between East and West, the Ionian sea had also a balance function, as a tool to delimitate influence spheres. The latter is perhaps the most original function of the Ionian space, horos intended to ensure non-interference relations between Athens and Syracuse, as it is revealed by the peace of Gela of 424, final point of an intense political and diplomatic confrontation: on the Ionian sea is centered a geopolitical vision that enhances its different functions and makes it a not less important sea than the Aegean in the Greek international relations.