Definition
Crete is an island in the eastern Mediterranean which during the Bronze Age produced the influential Minoan civilization with its distinctive architecture and art. An important member of the Greek world in the Archaic period, Crete dipped a little in significance during the Classical period but was again a major cultural centre in Roman times when it was a province within the Roman empire and centre of early Christianity. The island today has many archaeological sites of note which include Knossos, Phaistos, and Gortyn, all with significant architectural remains as compelling evidence of Crete's long and varied history.
More about: Ancient CreteTimeline
7000BCE
First habitation on Crete.6000BCE
First habitation at Malia.3600BCE - 3000BCE
First inhabitation of Phaistos.3000BCE
Stone tombs on Crete.c. 2700BCE
Olive trees are grown and harvested in Crete. Olive oil is exported.2200BCE
First monumental architecture at Malia.2200BCE - 1500BCE
The Minoan Civilization flourishes on Crete, Greece. King Minos establishes the first navy in the region.2000BCE - 1400BCE
Phaistos' greatest cultural height.2000BCE - 1700BCE
First Minoan palace at Phaistos.See AlsoEuropa | Titan, Zeus & BullThe Fourfold Goddess: Maiden, Householder, Regent, Wise Woman: A New Metaphor for Women’s Midlife Creating Sovereignty and PowerAriadne | Myth & SummaryAncient Greek Gods and Their Connection to Crete - The Syntopia Blogc. 2000BCE
Pottery wheel introduced to Minoan civilization on Crete.c. 2000BCE - c. 1650BCE
Cretan Hieroglyphic script is in use.2000BCE - 1450BCE
Minoan civilization in Crete and the Aegean.1900BCE
First Minoan palace at Knossos.c. 1850BCE - c. 1450BCE
The Linear A script of the Minoan civilization is in use.1850BCE - 1550BCE
Phaistos disk manufactured on Crete.1700BCE - 1600BCE
Second palace at Phaistos.1700BCE
Second Palace of Knossos on Crete.1700BCE - 1400BCE
The culture in the Cyclades is increasingly influenced by Minoan Crete.1675BCE - 1450BCE
Second Minoan palace at Malia.1650BCE - 1550BCE
Knossos survives Thera eruption.c. 1600BCE
Phaistos disk manufactured.c. 1600BCE
Rhodes has significant contact with Minoan Crete.1500BCE - 1450BCE
The 'Harvester Vase' of Minoan origin depicts a sistrum player.c. 1450BCE
Earthquake and fire ends the Minoan period at Malia.c. 1450BCE
Destruction of Minoan palace at Zakros.c. 1450BCE
Mycenaen influence extended to Knossos, Crete.c. 1330BCE
Abandonment of Zakros settlement.c. 750BCE
The earliest depiction of the tympanon on a bronze disc found in the Idaean Cave in Crete.700BCE - 600BCE
Brief resurgence in Phaistos settlement.c. 689BCE
Rhodes and Cretans found Gela in Sicily.c. 580BCE
Agrigento in Sicily is founded by colonists from Gela, Crete and Rhodes.470BCE
Gortyn on Crete begins to mint its own coinage.c. 450BCE
The Law Code of Gortyn is written.c. 220BCE
Gortyn allies with Knossos to defeat Lyttos on Crete.206BCE - 204BCE
Crete is at war with Rhodes.189BCE
Gortyn gives sanctuary to Hannibal.c. 180BCE
Phaistos conquered by Gortyn.155BCE - 153BCE
Crete is at war with Rhodes for a second time.110BCE
Rome establishes peace between the warring Cretan cities.71BCE
Rome wages war on the Cretan pirates.69BCE - 67BCE
Rome wages a second war against the Cretan pirates.36BCE
Mark Antony gives Crete as a gift to Cleopatra.c. 27BCE
Augustus makes Gortyn the capital of the Roman province of Crete & Cyrene.60CE
An early Christian community is established at Gortyn, Crete.81CE
Trajan serves as quaestor at Gortyn, Crete.365CE
Gortyn is destroyed by a devastating earthquake.670CE
Gortyn is destroyed by earthquake.c. 827CE
Crete is conquered by the Arabs.961CE
The Byzantine Empire reconquers Crete from the Arabs under Nikephoros Phokas, the future Emperor Nikephoros II.