This info page breaks down Crete’s history into different chapters, making it easier to understand. This format helps website users in several ways:
- It provides a clear timeline of events, showing how different cultures and civilizations influenced each other over time.
- It gives context to historical sites, allowing users to focus on specific periods or topics that interest them.
- It highlights major cultural shifts that occurred on Crete, such as the transition from the Minoans to the Dark Ages.
By organizing archaeological and historical sites into these chapters, the article empowers website users to explore Crete’s rich past in a more meaningful way. They can plan their visits based on specific interests and gain a deeper appreciation for the island’s legacy.
As an exemption, the Religion Points of Interest are categorized slightly differently. Both the Roman Period and the Arab Period, before the Byzantine Period is called the Early Christian Period.
Date Range clarifications
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BCE (Before Common Era): This is equivalent to the older term BC (Before Christ). Both BCE and BC count years backwards from the year traditionally (though inaccurately) assigned as the birth year of Jesus Christ. That year is considered year 1 in the Western calendar. So, 1000 BCE is 1000 years before that year 1. 500 BCE is 500 years before that year 1 (and therefore later in time than 1000 BCE).
When you see a date range like “c. 1070 – 1000 BCE,” it means:
- c. stands for “circa,” meaning “approximately.” This acknowledges that the dates are not precise.
- 1070 BCE: The earlier date in the range. It’s further back in time.
- 1000 BCE: The later date in the range. It’s closer to year 1.
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CE (Common Era): This is equivalent to the older term AD (Anno Domini, Latin for “in the year of the Lord”). Both CE and AD count years forward from the same year 1. So, 100 CE is 100 years after that year 1. 500 CE is 500 years after that year 1.
Crete’s history begins in the Paleolithic era, with evidence of stone tools dating back 130,000 years. The island was inhabited by various endemic species and eventually transitioned to a Neolithic farming culture around 7000 BCE, introducing domesticated animals and crops.
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Cretan Early Iron Age (c. 1000 – 800 BCE): The “Cretan Dark Ages” The Cretan Early Iron Age, often referred to as the “Cretan Dark Ages,” marks a significant period of transition and transformation on the island following the collapse of the Mycenaean palatial system around 1000 BCE. This era,…
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Archaic Period: Roughly 800 BCE to 480 BCE. This period saw the rise of Dorian-speaking city-states on Crete, increased contact with the broader Greek world, and significant artistic and cultural development. Classical Period: Roughly 480 BCE to 323 BCE. This period is marked by a relative decline in Crete’s prominence…
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After the Classical Period, Crete entered the Hellenistic period, which lasted from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC until the Roman conquest of the island in 67 BC. This period is marked by significant changes and challenges for the Cretan cities, as they navigated a complex political…
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Roman Conquest and Early Rule The Roman conquest of Crete began in 69 BC under the command of Quintus Caecilius Metellus, finally concluding in 67 BC. Metellus earned the agnomen “Creticus” for his victory. Initially, Crete was joined with Cyrenaica as a single province, with Gortyn as its capital. Urban…
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The island of Crete, with its strategic location and rich history, has been a coveted prize for many empires. Among them, the Byzantine Empire held a significant sway over the island in two distinct periods. The First Byzantine period, spanning from the late antique era (3rd century AD) to the…
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The Emirate of Crete was an Islamic state that existed on the island of Crete from the late 820s to 961. Although the emirate recognized the suzerainty of the Abbasid Caliphate and maintained close ties with Tulunid Egypt, it was de facto independent. A group of Andalusian exiles led by…
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The island of Crete, with its strategic location and rich history, has been a coveted prize for many empires. Among them, the Byzantine Empire held a significant sway over the island in two distinct periods. The Second Byzantine period, spanning from the island’s reconquest in 961 AD to its capture…
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Venetian Crete: Between East and West The Crossroads of the Mediterranean The Venetian period in Crete, spanning from 1211 to 1669, marks a fascinating chapter in the island’s history. This era saw Crete become a melting pot of cultures, a vibrant hub where the East met the West. From Byzantine…
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Ottoman Crete: A Period of Change and Conflict The Ottoman period in Crete began in 1646 with the Ottoman conquest of the western part of the island. The Venetians, however, maintained their hold on the capital Candia until 1669. The offshore island fortresses of Souda, Grambousa, and Spinalonga remained under…
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Crete gained autonomy under Prince George of Greece, and in 1908, Cretan deputies declared union with Greece. After the Balkan Wars, this union was internationally recognized in 1913. Eleftherios Venizelos, a prominent Cretan politician, played a crucial role in the island’s unification with Greece and became a leading figure in…
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