History

  • 6000 - 2600 BC
    Neolithic period (first settlers)
    The beginnings remain unclear – it is likely that the first settlers arrived in Crete between 6000 and 5000 BC and laid the foundations for Cretan culture.
  • 2600 - 2000 BC
    Pre-palatial period
    First flowering of Cretan culture, before the great palace complexes were built.
  • 2000 - 1700 BC
    Early Minoan period
    Construction of the first palaces (e.g. Knossos), beginning of Minoan civilisation.
  • 1700–1450 BC
    Late Minoan period
    Reconstruction after earthquakes, heyday of the Minoans, magnificent frescoes and trade.
  • 1400 - 1100 BC
    Post-palatial period
    Decline of the Minoan palaces, increasing influence of Mycenaean culture.
  • 1100–480 BC
    Doric period
    Immigration of the Dorians, founding of many city-states.
  • 480–67 BC
    Classical and Hellenistic periods
    Crete remains fragmented into city-states, its importance in the Mediterranean declines.
  • 67 BC – 395 AD
    Roman rule
    Crete becomes part of the Roman Empire.
  • 395 - 826
    First Byzantine period
    Crete under Byzantine control, early Christianity spreads.
  • 826 - 961
    Arab conquest
    Arabs occupy Crete, piracy characterises the island.
  • 961 - 1204
    Second Byzantine period
    Byzantium reconquers Crete, Christian culture regains the upper hand.
  • 1204 - 1669
    Venetians
    Heyday under Venetian rule, cities with a Western flair emerge.
  • 1669–1898
    Turks in Crete
    Ottoman rule, long struggles and uprisings by the population.
  • 1898–1913
    Autonomous Crete
    The island gains autonomy under international protection.
  • 1913–1941
    Annexation by Greece
    Crete officially becomes part of Greece.
  • From 1941
    Second World War and post-war period
    Occupation by German troops, heavy fighting.
  • 1951
    Joining NATO
    Greece joins NATO.
  • 1967–1974
    Military dictatorship in Greece
    Junta period, restrictions on democratic rights.
  • 1974
    Democratic new beginning
    Overthrow of the military dictatorship. Karamanlis becomes the new prime minister and ensures a bloodless transition to democracy. The monarchy is abolished. Greece becomes a parliamentary democratic republic.
  • 1981
    Accession to the European Community
    Greece becomes a member of the EC.
  • 1981–1989
    Papandreou government (PASOK)
    First long-term socialist government with Andreas Papandreou as Prime Minister
  • 1990–1993
    Mitsotakis government (Nea Dimokratia)
    The conservative NEA DEMOKRATIA party governs with Prime Minister Kostas Mitsotakis.
  • 1993 - 1996
    Another change of government
    Return of the Socialists: Andreas Papandreou becomes Prime Minister again.
  • 1996–2004
    Simitis government
    Stable period with economic reforms. Simitis Konstantinos succeeds Andreas Papandreou, who is ill.
  • 2002
    Introduction of the euro
    The euro replaces the Greek drachma as the currency unit.
  • 2004
    Kostas Karamanlis becomes Prime Minister.
    Switch to the Conservative Party.
  • 2009
    Giorgos Papandreou takes over
    Another socialist government: Following early elections in October, Giorgos Andreas Papandreou replaces Kostas Karamanlis as Prime Minister of Greece and also takes over the Foreign Ministry.
  • 2011
    Papadimos transitional government
    Crisis government during the financial crisis: In November, Papandreou agrees with opposition leader Samaras on a transitional government. The PASOK, NEA DIMOKRATIA and L.A.O.S. parties are involved. After Papandreou steps down, Loukas Papadimos, who is not affiliated with any party, becomes prime minister.
  • 2012
    Antonis Samaras (Nea Dimokratia)
    Conservative government, narrow election victory: Two further rounds of voting follow in quick succession in May and June, with the conservative NEA DIMOKRATIA ultimately emerging from the election as the strongest party, narrowly ahead of the left-wing socialist SYRIZA. Antonis Samaras, NEA DIMOKRATIA, is elected Prime Minister.
  • 2015
    Alexis Tsipras (Syriza)
    Left-wing government takes office, beginning of a new era: Despite some reforms, social unrest continues to grow, and after another early election, Alexis Tsipras of the victorious SYRIZA party takes office as Prime Minister.