History

  • 6000–2600 BC: ‘Neolithic’ (first settlers) –
    The origins remain shrouded in mystery – it is likely that the first settlers arrived in Crete between 6000 and 5000 BC and laid the foundations of Cretan culture.
  • 2600–2000 BC: ‘Pre-Palatial Period’ –
    The first flowering of Cretan culture, before the great palace complexes were built.
  • 2000–1700 BC: “Early Palace Period” –
    Construction of the first palaces (e.g. Knossos), the beginning of the Minoan high culture.
  • 1700–1450 BC: ‘Late Palace Period’ –
    Reconstruction following earthquakes, the 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’ –
    Invasion of the Dorians, foundation 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: “Early Byzantine Period” –
    Crete under Byzantine control; early Christianity spreads.
  • 826–961: ‘Arab Conquest’ –
    Arabs occupy Crete; piracy comes to dominate the island.
  • 961 – 1204: “Second Byzantine Period” –
    Byzantium reconquers Crete; Christian culture regains the upper hand.
  • 1204–1669: The Venetians –
    A golden age under Venetian rule; towns with a Western flair spring up.
  • 1669–1898: The Turks in Crete –
    Ottoman rule, marked by prolonged struggles and popular uprisings.
  • 1898–1913: Autonomous Crete –
    The island is granted autonomy under international protection.
  • 1913–1941: Annexation by Greece –
    Crete officially becomes part of Greece.
  • From 1941: The Second World War and the post-war period –
    Occupation by German troops, heavy fighting.
  • 1951: NATO accession –
    Greece joins NATO.
  • 1967–1974: Military dictatorship in Greece –
    The junta era, restrictions on democratic rights.
  • 1974: A new beginning for democracy –
    Overthrow of the military dictatorship. Karamanlis becomes the new Prime Minister, securing 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) –
    The first prolonged socialist government, with Andreas Papandreou as Prime Minister
  • 1990–1993: Mitsotakis government (Nea Dimokratia) –
    The conservative party Nea Dimokratia governs under Prime Minister Kostas Mitsotakis.
  • 1993–1996: Another change of government –
    Return of the Socialists: Andreas Papandreou becomes Prime Minister once again.
  • 1996–2004: Simitis government –
    A period of stability marked by economic reforms. Konstantinos Simitis succeeded Andreas Papandreou, who was in poor health.
  • 2002: Introduction of the euro –
    The euro replaces the Greek drachma as the currency.
  • 2004: Kostas Karamanlis becomes Prime Minister –
    a shift to the conservative party.
  • 2009: Giorgos Papandreou takes over –
    Another socialist government: In October, following snap elections, Giorgos Andreas Papandreou replaces Kostas Karamanlis as Prime Minister of Greece and also takes over the Foreign Ministry.
  • 2011: Papadimos’s caretaker government –
    a crisis government during the financial crisis: In November, Papandreou agrees with opposition leader Samaras to form a caretaker government. The parties involved are PASOK, NEA DIMOKRATIA and L.A.O.S. Following Papandreou’s resignation, the independent Loukas Papadimos becomes Prime Minister.
  • 2012: Antonis Samaras (Nea Dimokratia) –
    Conservative government, narrow election victory: Two further rounds of voting take place in quick succession in May and June; the conservative NEA DIMOKRATIA ultimately emerges as the strongest party, with a narrow lead over the left-wing socialist SYRIZA. Antonis Samaras of NEA DIMOKRATIA is elected Prime Minister.
  • 2015: Alexis Tsipras (SYRIZA) –
    Left-wing government takes office, the dawn of a new era: As social unrest continued to grow despite some reforms, Alexis Tsipras of the victorious SYRIZA took office as Prime Minister following yet another snap general election.