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.
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.
The Minoan civilization, the first in Europe, flourished on Crete, constructing elaborate palaces like Knossos and Phaistos with advanced drainage systems. They developed the Linear A script and engaged in extensive trade across the Aegean Sea. To check the Minoan periods please check the Read more page.
Following the Minoan civilization’s decline, Crete experienced a period of instability and cultural regression. The Mycenaeans from mainland Greece established their presence, and the island saw the emergence of the first Greek city-states. Listings active during the Dark Ages PeriodRandom pickArchaeological siteAreas of InterestMycenaean Acropolis of OrnesArchaeological siteAreas of InterestGrivila…
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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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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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Byzantine Crete: A Beacon in the Mediterranean’s First Byzantine Era 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…
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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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Byzantine Crete: A Resurgent Power in the Second Byzantine Era Introduction 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,…
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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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Geotour website by Nikolakakis Manolis is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Geotour website by Nikolakakis Manolis is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
