In Greek mythology, Σχερία (Scheria, Skhería, or Phaeacia), was an island, the homeland of the Phaeacians.

It was the last destination of Odysseus before coming back home to Ithaca. Skhería has often been identified as Corfu.

Approximately nine centuries after Homer and twenty centuries before present, Strabo proposed that Skhería, the island of the Phaeacians was located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

For Homer says also: "Now after the ship had left the river-stream of Oceanus"; and "In the island of Ogygia, where is the navel of the sea," going on to say that the daughter of Atlas lives there; and again, regarding the Phaeacians, "Far apart we live in the wash of the waves, the farthermost of men, and no other mortals are conversant with us." Now all these incidents are clearly indicated as being placed in fancy in the Atlantic Ocean. (Strabo, Geography, Book I, 2, 18)

The Greek word Φαίακες (Phaeacians) is derived from the word φαιός (phaios) thus meaning dark-skinned, which supports Strabo's proposition.

Greek Mythology

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