It came into existence after
Napoleon's
conquest in 1797 of the
Republic of Venice, when Venetian Greek possessions such as the
Ionian Islands fell to the
French Directory. It included the islands of
Ithaca,
Cephalonia and
Lefkada, as well as the cities of
Preveza,
Arta and
Vonitsa on the adjacent mainland. Its prefecture was at
Argostoli on Cephalonia. The islands were lost to
Russia in 1798 and the department was officially disbanded in 1802. Also Preveza, Arta and Vonitsa were
captured in 1798 by
Ali Pasha, ruler of the
Pashalik of Yanina. During the
renewed French control of the area in 1807–1809, the department was not re-established, the constitutional form of the
Septinsular Republic being kept. ==Administration==