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CRETE

HISTORY AND  MYTHOLOGY

Introduction

For more reasons, you will need to rent a car in Crete with full insurance to explore the island and its history in depth. The origin of the Cretans is of utmost concern right here. This report discusses the origins of the people and their historical background.

History of Crete

The history of Crete is closely linked to the popular myth in which Minos, the then king, refused to offer a bull, which led the queen to fall in love with him and gave rise to the mythical Minotaur. The Island of Crete has existed for a very long time, immemorially. Before many invasions by the Turks and the Romanians, Crete was inhabited by the Minoan civilisation, a Bronze Age culture from 2600-1150 BC. This civilisation was achieved through the construction of palaces, tombs, and sites for Minoan use, to the extent that they built a great navy, as the Mycenaean Greeks were among those invading the island. Before then, Minoan power was weakened by the eruption of the Santorini volcano in 1450 BC.

After the successful suspension of the Bronze Age civilisation invasion, the Romans invaded the island between 63 and 330 AC. The invasion, coupled with Byzantine rule, brought wealth and glamour to the island, of which its remnants remain to this day. The Venetians also invaded the island, accelerating its growth and leading to its current prosperity and popularity as a tourist destination. The mosaics and monuments around the island are all products of these invasions.

Sadly, Crete was invaded by the Germans, which prompted strong airborne resistance from the Allies: the British, New Zealand, and Australian forces. During these invasions, the Cretans resisted the rule of a foreign government, but they could not prevail. The places that suffered many bombings were Heraklion and Chania, whose destruction is still present today.

Rent a car today at the ports in all the prefectures on the island to witness the great Samaria gorge, the nature of the island, and the climatic conditions that are always influenced by the cosy breeze. We take you to your desired destinations in an insured car, so you don't have to worry about the island's mountainous terrain. Our cars will serve you right!

The Island of Crete is the largest Greek island and is often referred to as heaven on earth due to its outstanding features. Crete, Kriti, also known as Kreta, has a population of about 650,000 and an area of about 260 km long and 60 km wide. The island is located between the Libyan Sea and the Sea of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. The terrain of Crete is not only beaches, lakes, and gorges, but also offers excellent sea and sun, which shine brightly on the island. There are four major prefectures from West to East of the island: Chania prefecture, Rethymno prefecture, Heraklion prefecture, and Lasithi prefecture. These places are cities with the remnants of the invasions witnessed by the Island. This is why many people who have visited the island have found it a great place. We offer car rental from all the airports on the Island. These cars will take you around the regions and to remarkable places within them.

Crete Myths

As with most myths worldwide, which deal with the overthrow or war for the person considered the origin of a people, the Cretans are no exception.

Many decades ago, Cronus, the father of Zeus, was a king who assumed power by overthrowing his own father. Because of this, when his wife, Rhea, who had given birth to Hades, Hera, Demeter, Hestia, and Poseidon, wanted to give birth to Zeus, she had to try to hide him. Cronus was scared of Nemesis. He swallowed his own children. Rhea, knowing this, went to Gaia to devise a plan to save Zeus. It is not that Cronus was a devilish father, only that the belief in destiny was a stronghold that says that he (Cronus) will be dethroned by his son, which is why he has been swallowing them to avert the retribution of such acts. As a result, Zeus was born in the Diktean cave in Crete, leaving Cronus in hopes of death. Although there are different views on the birth of Zeus and his early upbringing, some say he was born in the cave and later moved to Ideon Andron; others say he was born in Ideon Andron and grew up there.

Remarkably, during the movement of Zeus from the cave to Ideon Andron, his navel fell off (meaning that he was still a baby) near a river, which today is the eastern part of the Karteros River in Heraklion. As expected, Zeus was crying heavily as Rhea was taking him away. But the Curetes (the seven giants) masked Zeus and helped her by making noises with their swords through dancing. They told Rhea to guard the cave entrance.

Being out of the cave, Rhea could not take care of him anymore. Therefore, Melissa Nymph raised Zeus. Therewith, mythical goat Amalthea fed him with her milk. Unfortunately, Zeus broke off the Horn of Amalthea and gave it to her, promising that all goodies would ensue from it. This Horn is today the Horn of Plenty. Rent a car to the Horn of Plenty from the airports on the island.

After many years of growing up to maturity, Zeus thinks it is time for him to become the king. So, he overthrew his father. Before he could do this, Zeus battled his father in order to save his siblings, whom he had swallowed even before he was born. To demonstrate his power, Zeus defeated the giants and the monster Typhoon. Meanwhile, when Zeus was in a battle with his father, he fought the Titans with his brothers.

After lots of battles, the kingdom’s fate lies in the hands of Zeus and his brothers, particularly Hades and Poseidon. Zeus, being smart, drew lots with his brothers to become the king. Alas, mighty Zeus won and became the king. Zeus is believed to have been the origin of the Cretans. What a great myth! To be part of the eyewitness of the Heraklion, Diktean, or even Ideon Adron (where Zeus was born), rent a car in Crete that will take you around the island. Our pickup stations are in the major airports on the island.