) Knossos and Groten are all mentioned for sending ships. King Agamemnon is said to also have become stranded for a time on Crete on his way back. Pre Minoan Crete Crete has been inhabited since the Neolithic time. The people most likely came from Asia Minor. Tools and burial mounds have been found of these people. There are also a series of caves in southern Crete that was said to be burial mounds. Minoan Crete 2600 B.C to 1100 B.C. The Minoan civilization was a civilization that flourished in the Mediterranean area from 2600 to 1600 B.C. and lasted until about 1100 B.C. when the Mycenaens or other Achaeans assimilated or exterminated the remnants of this civilization. This peaceful civilization was an advanced civilization mastering architecture and artistic styles that would not be known in the Mediterranean for five hundred more years.
Index:
- Geographical History
- Mythological History
- Pre Minoan History
- Minoan History
- Mycenaean History
Roman History
- Byzantine History
- Venetian History
- Turkish Occupation
- Modern History
- Suggested Tour
Geographical HistoryMy first impression of Crete is that it was big. After spending a week on the island that changed to "It is really, really big". It is so big you feel like you are on the main land somewhere. That is because Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean and the largest Greek island. It stands at the strategic center of the Mediterranean and therefore has had influence from Europe, Asia Minor, the Middle East and northern Africa. Several large mountain ranges make up the backbone (east to west) of Crete. The mountain ranges are tall enough in elevation that they get dusted by snow during the wintertime. In my opinion, the most impressive and scenic of these ranges is the White Mountains in the west. The mountains provide a scenic backdrop for towns such as Chania, as well as provide decent hiking. Numerous river gorges cut down from the mountains of Crete as well. The rivers have been carving out the soft limestone and leaving impressive cuts for the past 10,000 years or more. The most impressive of these are, in my opinion, on the southern face of the White Mountains: Samara Gorge, being the queen of them all. The island is lush with vegetation and fertile fields. Because of Crete's location, the civilization that controlled Crete had a great advantage in Mediterranean trade.
Mythological History.
Crete is the mythological birthplace of Zeus, king of the Greek gods. Re gave birth to Zeus in a cave, to protect Zeus from being eaten by Zeus' father, Kronos. Zeus is said to have visited Crete every year to drink from the fresh mineral springs for revitalization.
One of Zeus' many lovers was Europa (for whom Europe is named). Zeus brought Europa to Crete where he fathered three children with her. One of which was the legendary king Minos of whom the Minoan civilization is named. Zeus took to Minos' wife and took the form of a bull and made love to/ raped her. As a result, Minos' wife gave birth to the Minotar: the half bull half man beast of mythology. Enraged, Minos ordered Ikerus to build a labyrinth beneath his palace to impression the beast. (The palace of Knossos or the ceremonial double axes found there are thought to be this Labyrinth.)
Over time Athens fell to the Minoans (how? Anyone know?) and the Athenians were required to pay a tribute of 7 maidens and 7 young men to king Minos every ten years. Minos would send these fourteen young people into the labyrinth to be eaten by the minotar. Theseus, son of the king of Athens, convinced his father to let him go to Crete to try to brake this tirearny. With the help of ______ Thesseus killed the minotar and followed a ball of string out of the maze. Unfortunately, he did not remove the black sails from the ship and his father, seeing the black sails upon their return hurled him self into Cape Siounon thinking that Thesus had died.
Lastly, Various towns on Crete are mentioned for sending boats to Troy during the Trojan War. Cydonia *(Chania
The Minoans controlled the Mediterranean, with settlements on various islands and on Asia Minor. There is a well preserved Minoan settlement on Santorini (Thera) dating from the time that the volcano on Thera erupted. Evidence has shown that the Minoans even traded with the Egyptians. Despite the wide reach of the Minoans, their capital was the island of Crete. Evidence found at Minoan sites suggests that they traded extensively all over the Mediterranean receiving gifts from various kings.
The artwork they left behind showed styles and techniques not to be found for hundreds of years. Furthermore, their architecture suggests that they had advanced knowledge of mathematics. The columns of the palaces were spaced widely apart which meant they understood stress and load rations. If you look at Thebes in Egypt, columns from the same period are bigger and closer because they did not have the math skills yet to master load balancing. The Minoan buildings had other architectural features that suggested an advanced civilization as well.
It was believed that the Minoans were peaceful. The only "weapons" found on the island dating from the second palace period and before were daggers, and spears for hunting and the ceremonial double edged axe which is believed to have religious importance. There were no weapons of war on the island. So at least on Crete the Minoans lived in peace. There is a theory that the Minoans had a vast navy which protected the island, allowing the people on Crete to live in peace.
The Minoans built at least four palaces on Crete, each one responsible for the administration of a different part of the island. It appears that the greatest, or at least the most extensive of the palaces was at Knossos. Archeologists believe that this was the religious and administrative capital of the Minoan civilization. Other palaces have been found at Malia and Gortyn and researchers believe that a fourth palace is to be found under the Kastelli hill in Chania. The palaces showed splendor and mathematical skills far beyond the Achaeans who were running around Greece and the Arabs in Asia Minor.
The Minoan civilization grew from 2600 to about 1450. During that time (1700 B.C.) an earthquake or other (natural) disaster leveled many of the settlements on the island. This gave them a chance to rebuild everything bigger and better. The result was the impressive royal places mentioned above.
Evidence shows that they were a religious and commercial empire. Their location would make trade with many of their neighbor's ideal. It has been hypothesized that their naval forces were so "impressive" that they had no fear of invasion. Their religion seemed to focus upon the bull and a double bladed ax (whose name gave rise to the word Labyrinth.) Clay Bulls have been found in sacrificial pits all over the island. Some have hypothesized that it was a fertility ceremony that were involved with.
In 1450, the volcano at Thera erupted causing a massive tidal waves across the Mediterranean. Some think this tidal wave hit the coast with such force that it leveled most of the costal settlements. (I am sure after shocks knocked down anything that was left standing). This caused great distress to the Minoan civilization. The palaces were not rebuilt and for the first time, weapons for war appeared on the island for the first time. It appears the Minoans had company in the way of Achaeans.
The Mycenaean period. 1100 B.C. to 67 B.C.
The Mycenaens, or another band of Achaeans, moved into Crete, taking control of much of the island after destruction of the great palaces, which marked the end of the second palace period. Weapons for fighting first appeared on the island during this time and there appears to have been heavy resistance to the Mycenae. A fire caused by fighting destroyed much of what was left of the great palace at Knossos.
The Myceanens forced the Minoans into the mountains where the Minoans continued their traditions until completely assimilated. The Myceans in turn brought customs from the main land including their Gods (interesting how Zeus is said to be Minos' father …I wonder which came first) and ceremonial customs. They also brought with them Iron working, their law and their organizational system of city-states. Many of the Minoan centers became city-states on Crete.
In the Iliad, Homer lists several Cretan cities in his ship registry, most notably Cydonia (Chania), Iraklion, and Gortyn. However, by 500 B.C. civil war and Pirates had fairly well disrupted life on Crete and during the "Golden Age of Greece" Crete was a backwater. It did not participate in the pan Hellenic games, nor any of the famous wars of the time. It was briefly (re)annexed by Alexander the Great but by 2 B.C. anarchy ruled. Making Crete ready for a new invader
The Roman Period. 67 B.C to 330 A.D.
The "unstable" nature of Crete, at the center of the Mediterranean, gave the Romans the excuse they needed for attacking and enslaving the island. Because the Cretans faced a common enemy they united to put up fierce resistance to the Romans. This resistant would be seen for years to come with each new invader. Since they lacked the resources of the Roman Empire, Cretans eventually fell.
The Romans did not try to assimilate the Cretans but to enhance the "Greek" culture of the island. While they brought Roman improvement (I know a Cretan is going to send me a nasty e-mail for that statement) and structures such as sanitation, baths, amphitheaters and medicine. The Romans tried to retain much of the "Greek" culture as possible on the island. Greek remained the common language and Greek traditions prevailed. Administratively, the capital was moved to Gortyn from Knossos, which was accompanied by a population shift. The language of business was also Latin.
It was during this time that St. Titus brought Christianity to the island. Following the instructions of St. Paul, St. Titus founded the first church and taught people to follow Christ. His relics can be found in Irakilion.
The Byzantine Period. 330 A.D. to 1204 A.D.
When the Roman Empire was split, Crete became part of the eastern or Byzantine empire. Gortyn remained the capital with a general as the governor. According to one source, it enjoyed a great deal of prosperity. Christianity became firmly established and the Greek/Byzantine identify became entrenched. Another source states that because it only had the one administrative center, it was neglected and became a backwater of the empire (much like the Peloponnese). It suffered numerous pirate raids. The Turks during this period (824) made their attempt to gain a foothold on the island by fortifying Irkalion and forming an independent state with Candia (Irkalion) as the capital. (Candia is a corruption of the Turkish word for moat or ditch)
The Turks enslaved the Byzantine population and raided the Byzantine areas, taking land, materials and people for the slave trade. After several attempts the Byzantines threw off the Turkish oppressors in 961.
Byzantines began to immigrate to the island strengthening the Christian base of the island and the culture of Crete began a resurgence.
This was cut short in 1204 when the fourth Crusade invaded Constantinople, overthrew the emperor and put a Catholic emperor on the thrown. Crete was seeded to Venice.
When the Byzantine Empire was in taken over by the Turks the Turks, the Byzantines found a new home on the island of Crete.
Venetian Period 1204 to 1669
The Venetians tried to Latinize the island. Like the Romans and Arabs before them, they met with a great deal of resistance. At one point discontent Venetians and Cretans declared Crete the independent state of St. Titus. Venice established many towns and sees and populated them with Venetian nobility. Fearing Raids from Arab and Turkish pirates, they fortified many of these towns. They divided the island into regions, each with a regional capital.
Italian art influences came with the Venetians. This style merged with the Byzantine iconography and created the "Cretan School" of art; a style of art that retained traditional iconosistic elements but borrowed from the Venetians. A young Domenikos Theotkopoulous was so impressed that he went to Venice to learn more of the Venetian school of art. Eventually merging the two and he became known as El Greko (the Greek).
The Venetians brought their building (yes the Venetians built buildings which are still standing. Some Greeks apparently refuse to accept this) and their style of architectural design(again it may be based upon Greek but it also has definite Italian influence as well….yes I have received nasty e-mails about this). The Venetians built plazas, fountains and of course city walls and Kastelli (castles). The reason for the former was to beautify the island and to bring their culture. The later, well they had a problem with Turkish pirates. Pirates who happened to be financed by the Sultan. (I believe the proper term is privateers)
Turkish Imposition 1669 to 1898
The Turks, wanting to secure this strategic island had sent privateers (as opposed to pirates) to harass the coastal settlements and cause general mayhem. In 1538 the Turks even invaded the island only to be turned away at Candia (Modern/Ancient Irekalion. When Turks invaded the island during the Byzantine period, they put a moat around the town. The town became known by the Turkish name for moat, Candi). However, in 1645 the Turks landed in force and with in a matter of years captured all of the major strongholds except for Candia. The Siege of Candia lasted for 21 years due to a combined effort of Venetian and Greek military might. These two militaries had help from other European nations, most notably the British.
Candia eventually fell and the Turks controlled the island. Turkish rule was harsh and oppressive. People were forced into slavery. Boys were emasculated to serve as slaves in Harems. Christians were forced to pay harsh taxes.
Greek culture was kept alive in monasteries and through the church. Often holding secret "Greek School." Greek language was also taught in these schools. Often times the priests were some of the leaders of the Cretan resistance. The Ardakai monastery housed several heroes of the Cretan resistance. These heroes, when cornered by an army of over 1000 Turks chose to blow up them selves, the monastery and a sizable chunk of the Turkish army instead of surrendering.
Like with all other invaders, the Cretans resisted. This time falling back on Gorilla warfare. This often had bloody consequence. In retaliation for the killing of one Turk, often an entire village was slaughtered in cold blood. This would anger the Cretans even more. (And people wonder why there is no peace in the Middle East). Many bloody revolutions arose on Crete, led by various local heroes. The bloodiest was in 1895-1896. The Turkish retaliation for these uprisings was always brutal, bloody and harsh. When word got back to Europe, world opinion swung in favor of the Cretans and the Greeks for Greek independence.
In 1897 the Greek army helped free many of the provenances of Crete. In 1898, with the help of European powers Crete was finally able to throw off the yoke of Turkish oppression.
Modern Crete
Crete officially became part of Greece in 1913 and has shared much of its history with that of the Greek state. During World War II, Hitler was the first to use paratroopers as an invading force on Crete in his attempt to capture this strategic island. Greek, Australian, New Zealand and British forces fought hard to repel the German forces but finally retreated. Fighting was horrific with any losses on both sides. There is a memorial for the heroic efforts of the Allied forces on the island. Apparently there is also a memorial for all the Germans who lost their lives as well.
During the German occupation guess what…the local population participated in gorilla warfare. A note to all future invaders of Crete…..Don't.
Crete today is one of the most prosperous and beautiful parts of Greece. It has a strong sense of its history and culture. It has a strong economic base, a very proud population and a very nice climate.
Suggestions for a vacation.
I would focus on the west and the south of the island, both being lest developed
and exploited. The famous Samara Gorge is on the south west
side of the island and is a must do day trip from Chania
(or you can spend the night closer to the gorge.) It is the longest gorge in
Europe
and one of the most beautiful. The brave hike the 12 miles (down hill) of the gorge.
The more timid, hike in for about an hour then back out. The south west side of
the island also seems to have the most beautiful beaches, and scenic landscape.
There are numerous other gorges for hikers. Chania was my favorite of the big
towns because it was the most picturesque (visit the old quarter, it is the
second largest town on the island) and has a lovely backdrop. Rethymnon is
another major town that has a nice Venetian quarter. Some of its buildings are
more impressive, but Chania is more photographic and overall pleasing. Rethymnon's biggest downfall is there are not really any day trips to do from there other than the Arkadi monastery and a few beaches. However, the hostel is one of the cleanest and friendliest I have ever stayed at.
From Rethymnon you have two
choices. Either head directly to Iraklion or head south to Festos and then back up to
Irakilon. The Messaras bay area is very scenic, but also very popular. The same people as the Rethymnon one own the hostel so it is very clean as well. Festos is the second of the Minion places and has been left as it was found. Matala beach is famous for caves thought to have been the home of Neolithic people.
You eventually have to go to Irakilon. The reason for going there is Knossos, the site of the greatest of the Minion places, and the archeological museum. (The one in Chania is better organized and has a better feel to it). Knossos has been rebuilt to one archeologist's viewpoint on how the palace should look. The museum in the town has a lot of the Minoan ruins from all over the island including most of the artwork. There is a nice beach (By bus) to the East of the town. Other than that, Irakilon is a large, working city.
I avoided the east. There is another palace at Malia, but Malia is a huge party resort as well. The further east you go you get more resorts and tourism though there are some lovely beaches near St. Nicolas.
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Copyright June 10, 2000