Hellenistic period

Following the foundation of the Hellenistic kingdoms, the Greek cities were forced to confront the might of Macedonian power. Crete became the centre of attention after 270 BC; the island was of particular interest to the Ptolemys in Egypt, who wished to control trade routes in the East.

The late 3rd century BC saw the foundation of the Koinon of Crete, a political union led by Knossos and Gortyn which was mainly concerned with diplomatic relations. At about the same time, war broke out between the Knossos - Gortyn alliance and Lyttos, which had begun to vie for political independence. Lyttos was razed to the ground in 220 BC and remained uninhabited for the next two centuries.

The period leading up to the Roman conquest was one of upheaval and internal crises, in which outside powers often became involved. From the 4th to the 1st century BC, art on Crete was influenced by trends deriving from the rest of Greece. Artefacts came mainly from workshops in Attica, while other locally produced ware was heavily influenced by centres there.