A brief history on Crete

Crete has had a long and turbulent past, the first inhabitants came from Asia Minor in circa 6000 before Christ . The Bronze Age also known as the Minion Period started circa 3000 bc., and lasted to circa 1100 bc. This was the time of great expansion on the island; impressive palaces were built such as the one at Knossos. The islanders became skilled artisans in the making of all manner of goods, pottery gold jewellery, some of which have been discovered and are on view in the museums of the island. The island has had its share of natural disasters, in circa 1700 bc. A massive earthquake hit the island and destroyed most of the buildings on the island.

Between 1700bc.and 1450 bc. There was a huge rebuilding of the palaces and monasteries, and the island entered a new period of prosperity. The Minion influences reached out across the Mediterranean, and greater contact was made with other lands.

At the end of this period there is evidence of a great fire, which spread across the island, it is thought the Mycenaean Greeks started the fire in a bid to win power on the island.
The Mycenaean ruled the Crete for a few generations, when the island was once again destroyed by a huge earthquake.

The Minion Period came to the end in circa 1100bc. The early iron age 1100bc. to 650 bc. covers a time that has not been well recorded. The Cretans became familiar with working with iron; they built settlements in the hills that were easily defended in case of local skirmishes .Between 650bc. and 67bc. the island was involved in feudal disputes. The Romans invaded the island in 69bc

The Turks occupied Crete between 1669 to 1898, this was a hard time for the Cretans as there were oppressed, and discriminated against. A uprising in 1866 when the Arkadi Monastery was blown up with great loss of life, the world became aware of the plight of Crete. Finally Crete became part of the Greek Empire in 1913, to jubilation of its people. Much of Crete’s history which mixes fact and myths are lost in the mists of time.