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Ancient Greek Sights


The Minoan civilization started its final decline after 1300 B.C. following new earthquakes and fires on the island. The next wave of settlers, the Dorian Greeks, destroyed Mycenae on the mainland and invaded Crete about 1100 B.C. They established an aristocratic form of rule. The famous Law Code of Gortyn, indicates the absolute authority of the rulers in all aspects of life.

Powerful cities like Praisos (in Lassithi), blended gradually Minoan and mainland Greek culture. Praisos maintained its own language (not deciphered yet) and remained powerful until the third century B. C.

The Greek city-states, such as LatoGortynPraisosItanos, Kydonia, Aptera and Knossos, were in constant strife among themselves, and civil wars raged continuously across the island. However, when a foreign enemy made advances, the island's people stood united. Despite this unity, the island fell to the Romans in 69 B.C.

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1 Acropolis of Gortyn
2 Acropolis of Polirinia
3 Ancient City of Driros
4 Ancient City of Elyros
5 Ancient city of Lappa in Argiroupolis
6 Ancient City of Lato
7 Ancient City of Pressos
8 Ancient City of Rizinia
9 Ancient City of Sivritos
10 Ancient Falasarna
11 Ancient Greek Ruins in Aptera
12 Ancient Greek Site of Lyttos
13 Ancient Greek Site of Yrtakina
14 Ancient Harbour of Lissos
15 Ancient Kommos
16 Ancient Site of Olous
17 Cave of Melidoni
18 Cave of Trapeza
19 Church of Agios Ioasaf
20 Dikteon Andron Cave
21 First Byzantine Period Basilica in Itanos
22 Greek and Roman Remains in Lendas
23 Hellenistic Remains in Eleftherna
24 Ideon Andron Cave
25 Itanos
26 Matala Beach and Caves
27 Menies (Diktinna)
28 Odion and Code of Gortyn
29 Peak Sanctuary in Kato Simi
30 The Monastery of Toplou
31 The Panagia Spiliotisa Church in Agios Thomas
32 The Temple of Apollo Pythios in Gortyn
33 The Temple of Asklipios in Lissos