Population

In this period the island population increased, partly on account of settlers arriving from other Byzantine provinces in the years immediately after the recapture of Crete, and partly owing to the favourable conditions brought about by lasting peace. The settlement of soldiers of Russian and Armenian descent among those Phocas brought to Crete is reflected in place names in use to this day, such as Armeni, Roussochoria and others.

Over time, the granting of estates to soldier settlers created a new landowning class, which grew in power over the centuries to come, particularly during the Comnenus dynasty. It was against this background that the medieval legend about the "twelve young nobles" arose.

Social stratification within the population can be discerned from contemporary Byzantine sources, in which powerful landowners, free peasants, residents of Chandax and even serfs enter into transactions and profess their piety through donations to the Church.