Classical & Hellenistic Period (500-67BC)
Regrettably, the following epoch saw constant battles amongst
the Cretan cities and further invasions from Asia Minor,
mainland Greece and beyond. Cortys, Kydonia (Chania) and Lyttos
all challenged the power of Knossos and competed with each other
to gain superiority, calling upon powers outside of Crete to
assist them in their feuds. Such adversaries turned allies
included Macedonia, Rhodes and Ptolemaic Egypt. Nevertheless,
for some time, Crete continued to flourish possibly due to the
fact that their battles were internal ones and they were not
drained of resources by participation in either the Persian or
the Peloponnesian wars that were afflicting mainland Greece.
In an attempt to gain support and maybe protection, the Cretans
pronounced the Macedonian Philip protector of the island and
also drew on the aid of the king of Pontus, Mithridates, for a
supply of mercenaries. However, the combat between the
city-states of Crete continued and chaos was further exacerbated
by pirates of Celichia who plagued the eastern part of the
Mediterranean and, using the collaboration of Cretans and Crete
as their base, went on to attack the Roman city of Ostia in the
2nd century BC.
The Romans exploited this situation as an excuse to intervene in
the political life of Crete. The Roman politician, Marcus
Antonius, sent representatives to Crete in an attempt to reach
an agreement. However, this was unsuccessful and a war ensued.
After three years of fierce battle, led by Quintus Caecilius
Metellus, Crete was conquered for Rome in 69 BC, earning
Metellus the fourth name, Creticus ..