Resistance

In the face of the aggressive tactics used by the Ottoman army, the defenders were locked in a constant struggle to take counter-measures. The ploys most often adopted to oppose the besiegers involved using artillery, exploiting naval supremacy, carrying out repairs to the fortifications and sallying forth in surprise counter-attacks.

"While the Turks were preoccupied in advancing beneath the Pantocrator Bastion, covered and safe from cannon fire, on seeing their audacious advance I did everything in my power to attack them with lightning sallies. Indeed the two that were then carried out were highly valuable in checking the enemy's operations. One of them was led by the brave Monseiur Sataneau, whose every move was carried out with irrepressible fervour, and who died a glorious death, struck by a bullet.... The endeavour was effective, not only on account of the damage inflicted on the enemy, but also on account of the courage they displayed, which bolstered morale among the defenders.».

(Excerpt from Provveditor General Antonio Barbaro's report in 1667, Stergios G. Spanakis, Monuments of Cretan History, vol. IV, Heraklion 1958, pp. 119-120 - in Greek)