Overview

Crete is a land where myth and history are inseparable. This sweeping narrative takes you back to the dawn of Western civilization, to the age of King Minos, the Labyrinth, and the monstrous Minotaur. It uncovers the story of the brilliant Minoans, Europe's first great society, with their sprawling palaces, stunning art, and mysterious undeciphered script. This book chronicles the island's journey from its Neolithic origins through the Bronze Age zenith, exploring the secrets of its powerful maritime empire-a thalassocracy that dominated the Aegean-and the enigmatic collapse that left behind a legacy of potent legends. Positioned at the crossroads of three continents, Crete was a prize coveted by every rising power in the Mediterranean. This history details the dizzying succession of conquerors who left their indelible mark on the island. Witness the arrival of Mycenaean warlords, the imposition of Roman law immortalized in the great Gortyn Code, and the rise of Christianity under the Byzantines. Learn about the century-long rule of the Arab Emirate, which turned the island into a notorious corsair's nest, and the subsequent reconquest that brought Crete back into the Orthodox world. Explore one of the most transformative periods in the island's history: the four-century-long Venetian rule. This era saw the rise of a unique Cretan Renaissance, a brilliant fusion of Byzantine and Italian culture that produced the artist El Greco and the literary masterpiece Erotokritos. The narrative then plunges into the brutal Cretan War and the legendary 21-year Siege of Candia, which ushered in two centuries of Ottoman domination. Follow the relentless cycle of heroic but bloody revolts that defined the 19th century, as the Cretan people fought with unyielding determination for freedom and union (enosis) with Greece. The island's turbulent story continues into the modern era, culminating in one of the most dramatic episodes of World War II: the 1941 Battle of Crete. Relive the epic airborne invasion and the ferocious resistance of soldiers and civilians alike, a defiance that became a legend of the war. The journey continues through the painful post-war reconstruction, the dark years of the Greek Civil War, and the island's radical transformation by the rise of mass tourism. This comprehensive account not only chronicles the great events of the past but also explores the enduring Cretan culture-its vibrant music, poetry, and traditions-and examines the challenges and opportunities facing the island in the twenty-first century.

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