Crete is one of the most important places in Europe historically. The breadth of its history is matched by very few other places on Earth. If you are interested in vacationing in a spot that has plenty of destinations of historical import, then Crete is for you. It’s also great for its breathtaking scenery and amazing options for traveling by car. If you are visiting this island soon, you should seriously consider making plans to rent a car in Crete and take advantage of its stunning highway views.
Crete’s history goes back to several centuries before the Common Era. The original inhabitants of the island are thought to have been cavemen who migrated from Asia Minor. Although no one knows what language they spoke, it is assumed to have been from the Indo-European family. During Minoan times, which stretched from 2700 to 1400 B.C., Crete developed into a thriving civilization. Cretans at the center of the Minoan kingdom patronized the arts and amassed great wealth. When you rent a car in Crete, you can see the remnants of this glorious period for yourself.
If you’re a fan of Greek mythology, then you have probably seen Crete mentioned in several well-known myths. Perhaps the most famous of these is the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, wherein Theseus must navigate a gigantic labyrinth in order to slay the hideous creature in its center.
The Minoan culture, which had its own language and traditional music styles, eventually fused with the Mycenean culture that dominated on mainland Greece. Cretan culture still has elements that distinguish it from the rest of Greece, but the people living there today consider themselves to be Greeks.
Crete was under the dominion of many different powers throughout its history. The Roman period lasted from 70 B.C. to 395 A.D. The Romans mounted a campaign against the island under the leadership of Quintus Metellus. Strong as the Roman army was, it took them three years to conquer the island. Crete then became part of a Roman province that included some areas of North Africa as well. The Romans built roads and aqueducts on the island, and the Apostle Paul brought Christianity to Crete in A.D. 59. The first bishop of Crete is thought to be Titus, a good friend of Paul’s. You can see the historical sites from this period at your leisure when you rent a car in Crete.
When the Roman Empire split in two, Crete became part of the eastern half, which was known as the Byzantine Empire. A brief period of Arab rule occurred in the early Middle Ages, and then the Byzantine Empire took power again. Later, the island would experience rule by the Venetians and then the Ottoman Turks. It became a part of Greece officially in 1913.
See thousands of years of world history yourself when you rent a car in Crete! Contact Auto Club Car Rental in Crete today for your options to rent a car in Crete.
