Roman period

Rome first began to show interest in Crete as early as the 3rd century BC, mainly on account of the island's strategic position with regard to the control of trade routes and piracy. The first unsuccessful attempt to take the island was carried out by Marcus Antonius in 74 BC, and was followed by a series of operations ending in the total subjugation of the island in 67 BC, following the ultimate capitulation of Knossos, despite the spirited resistance it put up to the Romans.

Up to the 3rd century AD, Crete and Cyrene in Africa formed a single Roman province administered from Gortyn. In the shadow of the «pax romana» (67 BC - 330 AD), the cities of Crete lived in relative peace. Mosaic floors and sculpture were the only art forms of note in this period.