Roman Period (67 BC 330 AD)
The Romans were well aware of the strategic importance of Crete
and its final conquest, after much resistance, and subsequent
long rule opened up the way for further expansion to the east.
Once pacified, the people of Crete settled into Roman rule with
little opposition and a period of relative calm followed with
the island becoming a quiet cultural backwater province of the
eastern Roman (or Byzantium) Empire. At first it was organized
jointly with the province of Cyrenaica on the coast of Africa,
but was separated into a province of its own in around 298 AD.
The capital for much of the Byzantium era was Gortys and this
city flourished under their rule. This prosperity saw the
construction of luxurious Roman buildings such as stadiums,
temples and baths. The population rose to around 300,000
inhabitants.
Other large cities included Knossos, Aptena, Lerapetra, Phaestos,
Littos, Eleftherna and Kydonia, (present day Chania). This
latter city was where the conquest of Crete by the Romans began
and it was the first city to resist. However, under Roman rule
it thrived and excavations have revealed the remains of
luxurious private and public buildings as well as numerous
sculptures and mosaic floors in various parts of the city.
It is thought that the original construction of the Byzantine
wall around the acropolis of Kastelli was built around this time
and the necropolis was extended around it. Its ancient theatre
was preserved until 1583 when it was demolished by the Venetians
who used the stone and marble from this and other buildings to
construct the new city walls. Apart from raids by Goths in
around 269 AD, Crete continued to remain both a peaceful and
prosperous province for much of the Roman rule. It continued as
part of the Roman and Byzantine empires until the 13th century
AD although the 9th century saw some interruption by Arab
conquests. The presence of the Romans, however, did not have a
large influence on the daily habits and culture of Cretan
people. They kept their own language and continued their
worshipping customs. .