Giorgio Buchner brought to light the “Nestor’s Cup”, an important indicator of the Greek presence on Ischia in 1955. It dates back to around 730 BC and was found on Rhodes.
The cup, which was discovered in roughly fifty fragments and then reassembled, belonged to the wealthy funeral equipment belonging a boy aged ten years. It bears on one of its sides, in the Euboic Alphabet in a retrograde orientation, that is, from right to left. An epigram consisting three lines refers to the famous Nestor cup. “I’m the beautiful cup of Nestor. He will drink this cup immediately Aphrodite will give it to him.
Pithechusae fell under Roman rule in 82 BC after the Battle against Silla. The island was named “Aenaria”.
Romans loved Ischia for its therapeutic thermal waters. This evidence is supported by important archaeological evidence from 1757 that shows the presence in thermal establishments of a series dedicated to thanksgiving for Apollo’s healing, and the Nymphs at the source of Nitrodiae.
At the end the fifth century. Short dominions of various Germanic tribes are observed from the beginning of the fifth century AD. They are characterized not only by continual and deadly raids but also by short dominations (especially Heruli, Ostrogoths).
In 813, the barbarian invasions were replaced with those of the Saracens. These lasted for over 30 years. Finally, a small fleet made up of Sorrentines rescued the island of Ischia. They defeated the Saracens that had fled to the island they had destroyed. Ischia was ruled by the Dukes of Naples for almost two hundred years. Henry of Hohenstaufen became the last ruler.
The Swabian dynasty ruled the island from 1214-1265. Manfredi died and Corradino was born, establishing the Anjou dynasty. The Angevins were expelled, and King Peter III (son-in-law to Manfredi) was acclaimed. Near the end 1200, the Angevins had briefly retaken the island and King Peter III of Aragon, son of Manfredi, was defeated in 1285 at Castellammare by Admiral Ruggiero de Lauria’s fleet. King James II, the son of Peter III, returned to the throne. Federico II took over the lordship in Ischia. The Angevins as well the Aragonese fought for Naples’ throne. Some islanders were looted and devasted until Alfonso from Aragon drove Renato d’Angio out of Naples and he fled to Provence.
In 1707, the Kingdom of Naples was passed to the Austrians. In 1734 Ischia became the domain of Bourbons with Naples. Ischia was abandoned once more by the underworld, and it suffered yet another plague in 1764.
The years 1817-1828 are not part of the island’s history. However, they have been merged into Pozzuoli through the Bourbon Restoration. Casamicciola suffered two terrible earthquakes in 1881-1883.
Ischia was only marginally affected during World War II. However the consequences had a devastating effect on the people. In the middle of Forio, several houses were destroyed by American bombs.
Angelo Rizzoli, a pioneer in building modern spa and hotel complexes on the island, supported it with extensive publicity. His publishing house also had regular meetings of spa specialists and film screenings.
Thus, Ischia’s name was widely spread.