The Fascinating People and Culture of Crete

This People and Culture of Crete page is from the Completely Crete website. Crete has a fascinating culture and it's people can boast an amazingly varied heritage of influence from advanced cultures and civilisations in the ancient world.

• History
• Mythology
• Geography
• Climate
• Religion

History

Crete has been the focus of attention for many civilisations over the centuries and the influence of conquering nations can be found in its culture, its buildings, its food, and even the look and appearance of its people.

MINOAN PALACE AT KNOSSOS

Cretan history starts with the Minoan Civilisation, the first civilisation in Europe, which flourished from about 2700 to 1450 BC.

MINOAN SNAKE GODDESS

The term Minoan was coined by Sir Arthur Evans,
a British born archaeologist, who excavated the site at Knossos. He named the people after the mythic King Minos. The "Minoans" called themselves something different, but we don't know what.

After the decline of the Minoans, Crete was invaded by a series of conquerors starting with the Myceneans. Soon, the Dorians and then later the Romans invaded. When the Roman Empire declined, the Byzantines took their turn and it was at this time that Christianity was established.

The Arabs conquered Crete in the 8th century. The Byzantines took over again before they sold the Island to the Venetians in the early 13th century, who bestowed their influence until their surrender to the Turks in 1669.

The Turks ruled until 1898 after which Crete was placed under international administration. In 1913, Crete became Greek.

All these various influences have played an important part in moulding the people and culture of Crete.

Mythology

WATCH OUT!

Mythology was an important backdrop to Cretan, and indeed Greek, history.

Crete often features in Greek Mythology and indeed was the birthplace of Zeus, the King of the Gods.

Geography

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is fifth largest in the Mediterranean. It has an area of about 8300 sq.km, which is made up of large mountainous areas. Its position has meant that it's been at the centre of the development of world culture and civilisation.

Religion is an important influence too, as demonstrated by their strict adherance to religious holidays and festivals. Even birthdays are less important to an individual than their respective Name Day.

Talking of "days", the 28th of October is Oxi Day (pronounced "Oshy"). Oxi is Greek for "No" and this is the day that the Greeks commemorate their resounding defiance against Mussolini's untimatum to surrender, as the Italian Army stood poised on the Albanian border for an invasion of the Greek mainland in 1940.

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