Ancient texts, including Homer's works, and geographical descriptions offer a general depiction of Ithaca's position but not specific coordinates. In Homer's portrayal, Odysseus' kingdom of Ithaca is portrayed as a small, rugged island with a harbor, a mountain, and several smaller islands nearby.
Archaeological excavations and comparisons with geographical descriptions led to the prevailing theory that the modern Ionian island of Ithaki (or Ithaca) in the Ionian Sea corresponds to the Ithaca described in The Odyssey.
Ithaki shares geographical features similar to those presented in the ancient poem, such as an indented coastline, two harbors, and mountainous areas. Moreover, Ithaki's position aligns with the surrounding islands mentioned in The Odyssey, like Same (modern Kefalonia) and Zakynthos (modern Zakynthos).
Despite this accepted correlation between the mythical Ithaca and modern Ithaki, some scholars have also suggested alternative locations based on archaeological evidence. Alternative possibilities are Lefkada Island south of Corfu and a smaller islet within Kefalonia.
Ultimately, determining the exact location of Ithaca, as described in The Odyssey, remains a matter of scholarly debate based on historical texts, archaeological findings, and geographical interpretations.
