1 Introduction
In Pseudo Scylax's Periplous, written around 330 BC, Crete is described as the third largest island after Sardinia and Sicily, and larger than Cyprus. [1]
Pomponius Mela, who wrote Chorographia around 43 AD, also wrote that Crete is larger than Cyprus. [2]
In fact, Cyprus is larger than Crete.
This error is thought to be due to an overestimation of the length of Crete from east to west.
In reality, it is about 260 km, but Strabo writes that it is 370 km or 426 km, and Pliny the Elder writes that it is 432 km. [3]
2 The First Greeks
2.1 Cres, King of the Eteocretans
The 5th century AD theologian Jerome reports that Crete was first ruled by Cres, and that the city was named after him. [4]
Diodorus writes that the first inhabitants of Crete were the Eteocretans, and that their king was Cres. [5]
The 2nd century AD theologian Clemens of Alexandria reports that Sicyon was ruled by Aegialeus, then Europs, then Telchis, and Cres ruled Crete. [6]
According to Jerome's chronology, Cres ruled Crete during the time of Apis, the fourth king of Sicyon. [7]
2.2 Migration of the Telchines
The 5th century AD historian Orosius reports that there was a battle between Phoroneus, king of Argos, and Telchines, who was defeated and migrated to Rhodes. [8]
Before going to Rhodes, Telchines lived in Crete. [9]
The 6th century AD grammarian Stephanus of Byzantium wrote that Crete was also called Telchinia, and the Cretans were called Telchines. [10]
2.3 Origin of the Telchines
The 2nd century BC chronicler Castor wrote that Peloponnesus was called Apia after Apis, who was the third king of Argos and the fourth king of Sicyon, and was the same person. [11]
The kings before Apis were Phoroneus, the second king of Argos, and Telchin, the third king of Sicyon. [12]
In other words, it is assumed that the Telchines who fought against Phoroneus were people who lived in Sicyon, named after Telchin.
2.4 Father of Cres
Cres was one of the Curetes, and Curetes and Telchines were of the same tribe. [13]
In other words, Cres was the leader when Telchines migrated to Crete after losing the battle with Apis, and Cres' father was Telchin, the king of Sicyon at that time.
2.5 The time of Cres' migration
Cres led Telchines to migrate to Crete after Telchines was defeated in a battle with Apis. [14]
According to the chronicler Castor, Apis ruled Argos for 35 years and Sicyon for 25 years before being killed by Telchin and Thelxion. [15]
In other words, the battle between Telchines and Apis occurred in the 10th year of Apis' reign.
A genealogy shows that Apis' father Phoroneus died and Apis became king of Argos in 1700 BC.
Therefore, it is estimated that Cres migrated to Crete in 1690 BC.
2.6 Cres' settlement
It is estimated that Cres' settlement was near Aptera in the northwest of Crete. [16]
The Idaean Dactyls, identified with the Telchines, were the first in Aptera to develop a means of utilizing iron.[17]
3 Migration from Arcadia
In 1450 BC, Cydon, Gortys, and Archedius, the three sons of Tegeates, who lived in Tegea in Arcadia, migrated to Crete and founded Cydonia, Gortyna, and Catreus. [18]
The migration of Tegeates' sons was due to a severe food shortage. [19]
The migration of Tegeates' sons took place before the Pelasgians, who lived in Arcadia, were called Arcadians, after Arcas, the son of Callisto. [20]
Diodorus records that the Pelasgians first migrated to Crete, where the Eteocretans lived. [21]
The migration of Tegeates' sons to Crete led to the following migration:
3.1 Migration from Cnossus
In 1450 BC, Cyrbas, who lived in Cnossus, migrated to the southeast coast of the island and founded Hierapytna. [22]
Cyrbas' migration was probably the result of unrest in Crete caused by the migration of the sons of Tegeates.
3.2 Migration to Rhodes
In 1450 BC, Erysichthon migrated from Prasus in Crete to Rhodes. [23]
Erysichthon married Rhodos, daughter of Halia of Telchine, in Rhodes, and had seven sons. [25]
The sons of Rhodos became known as Heliadae. [26]
4 Discovery of iron
4.1 Year of discovery of iron by the Greeks
According to Thrasyllus, a philosopher of the 1st century AD, the discovery of iron by the fire of Ida occurred 73 years after the "Flood". [27]
According to Thrasyllus, the "Seven generals' attack on Thebes" occurred 293 years after the "Flood". [28]
The attack on Thebes by the Argives led by Adrastus is estimated to have occurred in 1215 BC, so the "Flood" must have occurred in 1508 BC.
The "Flood" is estimated to have been the great flood of Thessaly, which occurred in 1511 BC, when King Cranaus replaced Cecrops as King of Athens. [29]
Therefore, the discovery of iron is estimated to have occurred in 1438 BC.
The Parian Marble records that iron was discovered during the reign of King Pandion of Athens (1442-02 BC), so this seems reasonable. [30]
4.2 The Birth of the Idaean Dactyls
After the great fire of Mount Ida, Celmis (or Kelmis, Scelmis) and Damnameneus (or Damnaneus) accidentally discovered iron and then invented the iron-smithing method. [31]
The two were Telchines, called the Idaean Dactyls, and taught the people how to smelt and temper iron. [32]
The two were the sons of Dactylus and Ida (or Idothea), and brothers of Teuclus, founder of the kingdom of Troy. [33]
4.3 Migration to various places
4.3.1 Migration to the Troad
In 1435 BC, Teucrus (or Teucer, Teukros) led a group of immigrants from Aptera in Crete and landed near Hamaxitus on the Troad. [34]
Based on the following, Teucrus is presumed to be the brother of Celmis (or Kelmis) and Damnameneus, who first discovered iron in Crete.
1) Teucrus was the son of Ida (or Idothea). [35]
2) The Idaean Dactyls were descendants of Dactylus and Ida. [36]
3) Celmis and Damnameneus were Idaean Dactyls. [37]
Teucrus was accompanied by the Idaean Dactyls, who explored for deposits north from Hamaxitus and settled around Mount Ida. [38]
4.3.2 Migration to Cyprus
In 1430 BC, Celmis and Damnameneus discovered iron in Cyprus. [39]
5 Cadmus' Visit
In 1425 BC, a colony led by Cadmus, son of Agenor, sailed the Aegean Sea and visited Rhodes, Thera, and Samothrace. [40]
It is believed that Cadmus also stopped in Crete during this time.
In Crete, there was an important encounter with the two daughters of Phoenix, who were part of Cadmus' colony.
5.1 Europa, daughter of Phoenix
Cydon, who lived in Cydonia, married Europa, daughter of Phoenix, and had two sons, Minos and Cardys. [41]
5.2 Astypalaea, daughter of Phoenix
The Idaean Heracles, who lived in Aptera, married Astypalaea, daughter of Phoenix, and had two sons, Ancaeus and Periclymenus. [42]
6 The Great Tsunami of 1420 BC
6.1 Europa's family
In 1420 BC, a great tsunami struck northern Crete, killing Cydon and leaving Europa and her two sons alive. [43]
6.2 Migration from Doris
In 1420 BC, a group of immigrants led by Cadmus, who had been driven from Thracia by a tidal wave, passed through Thessaly. Caught in the confusion of the migration, Dorus, son of Hellen, led the Dorians from northern Thessaly to the area between Mount Oeta and Mount Parnassus. Later, Tectamus, son of Dorus, led the Aeolians and Pelasgians, as well as the Dorians, to migrate to Crete. [44]
The Dorians founded Erineus, Boeum, and Cytinium. [45]
The 5th century AD theologian Jerome lists Lapis as a ruler of Crete before Asterius, son of Tectamus. [46]
Larisa, near Hierapytna in the southeast of the island, was probably founded by the Pelasgians who had migrated with Tectamus. [47]
6.3 Europa's remarriage
Tectamus' son Asterius married Europa, who had become a widow in Cydonia, where they stopped on their voyage. [48]
Minos did not migrate to Cnossus with his mother Europa, but instead married Androgeneia from Phaistos in central-southern Crete, and had a son, Asterios. [49]
Tectamus' son Asterius then died without an heir. The Dorians of Cnossus summoned Minos to Cnossus and married him to Iton, the daughter of Lyctus, to succeed Asterius. Lyctus is presumed to have founded Lyctus, located southeast of Cnossus. Also, judging from the daughter's name, which is reminiscent of Itonus in Thessaly, Lyctus is likely to have been the son of Cretheus, Asterius' maternal grandfather. Minos and Itone had two children, a son, Lycastus, and a daughter, Idea. [50]
7 The Great Tsunami of 1390 BC
7.1 Migration to the Troad
In 1390 BC, shortly after the birth of Lycastus, a great tsunami struck northern Crete, affecting Cnossus, where Minos lived.
Minos sought refuge in Cydonia, where his brother Cardys lived. However, Cydonia was also affected by the tsunami. Minos and Cardys joined the migration of Telchines and others from Aptera, who were heading to Asia Minor with victims from Aptera, and emigrated to the Troad. [51]
A little later, Cardys returned to Cydonia, but Minos settled near Dardanus, where Erichthonius, son of Dardanus, ruled at the time.
7.2 Marriage of Lyctius and Ide
On Mount Ida near Dardanus, Corybas, son of Dardanus' brother Iasion, lived with his mother Cybele. Corybas married Thebe, daughter of Cilix, son of Agenor, and had a daughter Ide. Ide and Lyctius, son of Minos, later married. [52]
Lyctius and Ide were of the same race, with a common ancestor Lycaon, son of Pelasgus of Arcadia.
7.3 Return to Crete
The descendants of Minos returned to Crete, having accumulated wealth through gold mining in Astyra near Dardanus. They possessed many ships, and by driving out the pirate-like inhabitants of the islands that were threatening maritime traffic at the time, they gained control of many islands and gained control of the Aegean Sea. [53]
Plato, in his Gorgias, states that Minos and Rhadamanthys were born in Asia. [54]
It is also more plausible that Minos married Pasiphae, daughter of Perseis, to Troad rather than to Crete. [55]
Minos returned to Crete around 1295 BC after his marriage to Pasiphae.
7.4 Asterios, son of Minos
Asterios, son of Minos, grew up in Amnisos, a short distance from Cnossus. [56]
Amnisos was also hit by the tsunami, so Asterios migrated with his father to the Troad.
The trade route from Corinth on the Peloponnesus peninsula to Colchis on the eastern shore of the Black Sea passed near the Troad, so Asterios left his father and migrated to Colchis. [57]
Asterios married a wife in Colchis, and had a daughter, Perseis (or Perse). [58]
Perseis married Phineus' son Polymedes or Clytius (or Plexippus or Pandion). The sons of Phineus migrated from Salmydessus on the southwestern shore of the Black Sea to Tauric Chersonese (present-day Crimea Peninsula) on the northern shore of the Black Sea. [59]
Perseis had two sons, Perses and Aeetes, and two daughters, Circe and Pasiphae. [60]
Perses succeeded his father, and Aeetes migrated to Colchis, where there was no heir, and married Perses' daughter Hecate. [61]
In 1297 BC, Pasiphae was married to Minos, son of Lycastus, who lived in the Troad. [62]
The woman whom Asterios married at Colchis was probably the daughter of Chalciope, daughter of Aeetes, son of Sisyphus, and Phrixus, son of Athamas. [63] Later, Medea, daughter of Aeetes, son of Perseis, was invited by the Corinthians to be in charge of the city, for she was a descendant of Sisyphus, who founded Corinth.
8 Idaean Heracles and Astypalaea
8.1 Idaean Heracles
Idaean Heracles is an Idaean Dactyls, presumably born in Aptera. [64]
Clymenus, son of Cardys, who organized the games at Olympia and was banished by Endymion, son of Aethlius of Elis, was a descendant of Idaean Heracles. [65]
Clymenus was born in 1395 BC, which is only 43 years before the discovery of iron in 1438 BC. Thus, Idaean Heracles is either the father of Cardys or the father of Cardys' wife. However, since Cardys lived in Cydonia, Clymenus is presumably the son of the daughter of Idaean Heracles.
Also, there is only one generation between Cardys and Cydon, the founder of Cydonia, so Cardys is presumably the son of Cydon.
8.2 Migration to Eleia
In 1420 BC, the Idaean Heracles and his brothers led the people who had been swept away by a great tsunami to Eleia.
He probably learned of the decision to move to Eleia from Cydon, who had migrated from Arcadia and founded Cydonia, next to Aptera. [66]
In 1419 BC, the Idaean Heracles brothers held the first games at Olympia. [67]
The Idaean Heracles brothers were Paeonaeus, Epimedes, Iasius, and Idas. [68]
8.3 Migration to Cherronesus
In 1416 BC, the Idaean Heracles brothers settled in Cherronesus in Caria, across from Rhodes, where they expelled the Carians and founded five towns. [69]
Ancaeus, the son of Idaean Heracles and Astypalaea, became king of Leleges. [70]
The Leleges are considered a tribe of Carians, but are presumed to be Greeks mixed with the Carians. [71]
The daughter of Idaean Heracles, who grew up in Cherronesus, married Cardys, who lived in Cydonia in Crete. This long-distance marriage was made possible by kinship.
Idaean Heracles' wife was Phoenix's daughter Astypalaea, and Cardys' mother, Phoenix's daughter Europa, was sister to Cardys, so Cardys and the daughter of Idaean Heracles were cousins. [72]
9 Interregnum
The situation in Crete is unclear for about 100 years, between the departure of Minos, son of Europa, and the return of Minos, son of Lycastus, to Crete. During that time, only the events of two towns are known:
9.1 Migration to Eleia
In 1339 BC, Clymenus, son of Cardys, emigrated from Cydonia in Crete to Olympia in Eleia. Clymenus was a descendant of the Idaean Heracles, and held the games at Olympia. [73]
Clymenus emigrated to the Troad, pursued by Endymion, son of Aethlius of Elis. [74]
9.2 Migration from Miletus
In 1318 BC, Hittite king Mursili II attacked Millawanda (Miletus) of Caria, which sided with Uhha-Ziti. [75]
Cleochus' daughter Aria fled to Crete, where she had a son Miletus. [76]
Cleochus was a descendant of the Idaean Heracles, who migrated from Crete to Caria.
Aria lived in Milatos in Crete. [77]
10 Age of Minos, son of Lycastus
10.1 Migration from the Troad
In 1295 BC, Lycastus' sons Minos and Sarpedon migrated from the Troad to Crete. [78]
Their migration was probably due to their defeat in a battle to succeed the throne of Wilusa (Troy) when they sided with Assaracus, son of Tros.
Minos lived in Cnossus in Crete. [79]
Sarpedon lived in Milatos in Crete. [80]
10.2 Migration to Caria
In 1294 BC, Miletus, son of Aria, daughter of Cleochus, migrated from Crete to Caria near the Maeander River and founded Miletus. [81]
10.3 Migration to Lycia
In 1294 BC, Minos' brother Sarpedon migrated from Milatos in Crete to Caria and participated in the founding of Miletus. [82]
In 1289 BC, Sarpedon migrated from Miletus to Mileas (later Lycia). [83]
10.4 Migration to Paros
In 1265 BC, Minos' sons Eurymedon, Nephalion, Chryses, and Philolaus migrated from Crete to Paros. [84]
Paros was also called Minoia. [85]
10.5 Migration from Athens
In 1265 BC, Daedalus, son of Eupalamus, son of Metion, migrated from Athens to Crete, driven by Aegeus. [86]
Alongside Daedalus, the son of Pallas, son of Pandion, also migrated to Crete and is presumed to have been friends with Androgeus, son of Minos.
10.6 Battle with Athens
10.6.1 Causes and consequences of the battle
In 1264 BC, Androgeus, son of Minos, was killed at Oenoe, at the foot of Mount Cithaeron, on his way to the funeral games of Laius, son of Labdacus, held in Thebes. [87]
Diodorus reports that Androgeus was killed because he was suspicious of Aegeus's political rival, the sons of Pallas, due to their closeness to him. [88]
Hyginus reports that Androgeus died during a battle between Aegeus and Minos. [89]
Probably after a battle between Aegeus and his brothers-in-law, the next generation of Pallas' sons, with the help of Androgeus, challenged Aegeus to battle. [90]
Minos won the battle. Athens was ordered to send seven young men and women to the island as hostages every nine years. [91]
10.6.2 Settlement in Aegina
In 1264 BC, Minos, after a battle with the Athenians, settled Aegina with the Cretans. [92]
The Cretan settlement caused the sons of Aeacus, who lived in Aegina, to emigrate from the island. [93]
During the Trojan War, the Cretans extended their settlement into Salamis, and the descendants of Telamon lived in Attica. [94]
10.6.3 Battle with Ceos
In 1264 BC, Minos attacked Ceos and captured Dexithea, whom he married. [95]
Dexithea was probably a descendant of the children of Aristaeus, son of Cyrene, daughter of Hypseus, who had been left in Ceos by her mother. [96]
10.6.4 Migration to Boeotia
In 1264 BC, Minos' brother Rhadamanthys emigrated to Onchestus in Boeotia. [97]
Onchestus was ruled by Megareus, son of Hippomenes, who had been killed in battle while fighting with Nisus, son of Pandion, in Megara. [98]
10.7 Migration from Athen
In 1262 BC, Carmanor and his son Eubulus emigrated to Tarrha in southwestern Crete. [99]
Carmanor was the son of Pandion, the eighth king of Athens, who was presumably exiled by his brother-in-law Aegeus.
In 1251 BC, Carmanor's daughter Chrysothemis participated in and won a hymn-singing contest at the Pythian festival.[100]
10.8 Death of Minos
At the time of the marriage of Theseus and Phaedra, Deucalion was the ruler of Crete, so Minos is estimated to have died around 1245 BC. [101]
Herodotus reports that the Trojan War occurred two generations after Minos' death, so this is roughly consistent. [102]
After Minos' death, Crete lacked a strong leader, and civil wars continued.
Those who lived near the coast built more fortified towns on the highlands inland. [103]
Aratus, son of Cleinias of Sicyon, describes Crete as having many formidable mountains, along with Boeotia, Phocis, and Acarnania. [104]
11 Age of Deucalion, son of Minos
11.1 Marriage Alliance
Minos' successor, Deucalion, is said to have given his sister Phaedra in marriage to Aegeus' son Theseus in order to form an alliance with Athens. [105]
Also, around the same time, two of Deucalion's nieces were married to the two towns of Peloponnesus.
11.2 Marriage to Athens
In 1241 BC, Minos' daughter Phaedra was married to Aegeus' son Theseus, who lived in Athens. [106]
With Phaedra, Ceramus, son of Minos' daughter Ariadne, emigrated from Naxos to Athens and became the eponym of the Cerameicus district. [107]
With Ceramus, many potters migrated from Crete, and the Ceramicus district became the Potters' Quarter. [108]
11.3 Marriage to Cleonae
In 1235 BC, Aerope (or Eriphyle), daughter of Catreus, son of Minos, was married to Pleisthenes (or Plisthenes), son of Atreus, who lived in Cleonae. [109]
At that time, Phliasus lived in Phlius, about 10 km from Cleonae in Argolis.
Philasus was the son of Ariadne, daughter of Minos, and Aerope was his cousin. [110]
It is believed that Phliasus mediated the long-distance marriage between Pleisthenes and Aerope.
11.4 Marriage to Nauplia
In 1234 BC, Clymene, daughter of Catreus, son of Minos, was married to Nauplius, son of Clytonaeus, who lived in Nauplia in Argolis. [111]
11.5 Wars in Crete
In 1230 BC, new towns were founded in Crete and large-scale migrations occurred.
Based on previous marriages, it is believed that there were wars in Crete.
11.5.1 Migration to Messapia
In 1230 BC, a group of immigrants led by Iapyx, son of Daedalus, settled in Messapia in the southeastern part of the Italian peninsula. [112]
The river that flows near Hyria where Iapyx settled was called the Iapyx River, the region was called Iapygia, the cape was called Iapygian Cape, and the inhabitants were called Iapygians (or Iapyges). [113]
11.5.2 Migration to Apulia
In 1230 BC, a colony led by Cleolaus, son of Minos, settled in Apulia, southeast of the Italian peninsula. Cleolaus called his tribe Daunii after his son Daunus. [114]
Cleolaus' son Daunus' daughter Euippe married Diomedes, son of Tydeus, who led the Aetolians to Apulia. [115]
11.5.3 Migration to Macedonia
In 1230 BC, a colony led by Botton entered the Adriatic Sea, separated from the colony led by Iapyx, and emigrated overland to Macedonia. [116]
Botton's settlement was west of the Axius River and north of the Haliacmon River, which flows into the Thermaic Gulf. [117]
A little north of later Pella was Europus, founded 75 years earlier by Europus, son of Macedon, son of Aeolus, and Oreithyia, daughter of Cecrops. [118]
The colonists of Botton included the descendants of the Athenians who had been sent from Athens to Crete in the time of Aegeus. [119]
The inhabitants of Europus were also the descendants of those who had emigrated from Athens with Oreithyia in marriage.
Botton was the son of Daedalus, son of Merope (or Alcippe), daughter of Pandion, son of Cecrops, father of Oreithyia, mother of Europus. [120]
Europus was therefore a cousin of Botton's grandmother.
The people travelling with Botton would have been surprised to find people who spoke their language in a foreign land.
11.5.4 Migration to Asia Minor
In 1230 BC, Erythrus, son of Rhadamanthys, led a group of immigrants from Crete across the Chios and founded Erythrae. [121]
Erythrae was inhabited by the Carians, who were friendly to the Cretans, and the Lycians, who had been driven out by Minos some time ago and had migrated with Sarpedon. [122]
11.5.5 Migration to Rhodes
In 1230 BC, Althaemenes and Apemosyne, the children of Catreus, son of Minos, migrated from Crete to Rhodes. [123]
Althaemenes built an altar to Zeus on Mount Atabyris, the highest mountain in Rhodes. [124]
Althaemenes' settlement was at Cameirus. [125]
11.5.6 Migration to Libya
In 1230 BC, Amphithemis, son of Acacallis, daughter of Minos, emigrated from Tarrha in Crete to Libya. [126]
11.5.7 Founding of Oaxos
In 1230 BC, Oaxos, the son of Acacallis, daughter of Minos, migrated from Tarrha to the vicinity of Mount Ida and founded Oaxos. [127]
In the early 7th century BC, Oaxos was ruled by Etearchus. Etearchus' daughter Phronime married Polymnestus of Thera and had a son Battus. [128]
In 630 BC, Battus led a colony from Thera to Libya and founded Cyrene. [129]
It is said that Battus founded Cyrene in Libya after receiving guidance from an oracle. [130]
However, it is assumed that there was some contact between Oaxos and Libya after Acacallis' son Amphithemis migrated to Libya.
11.5.8 Founding of Elyrus
In 1230 BC, Phylacides and Philander, two sons of Acacallis, daughter of Minos, founded Elyrus near Tarrha.[131]
11.5.9 Migration to Aegina
In 1205 BC, Britomartis, daughter of Carme, daughter of Eubulus, son of Carmanor, migrated from Crete to Aegina. [132]
The 3rd century AD writer Antoninus Liberalis reports that Britomartis arrived in Aegina on the ship of the fisherman Andromedes, who is likely her husband. [133]
Aegina has a sanctuary of Aphaea, the name of the deified Britomartis. [134]
Britomartis' migration may also have been due to wars in Crete.
11.5.10 Migration to Asia Minor
In 1213 BC, Tlepolemus, son of Heracles, led the Tirynthians from Argolis to Rhodes. [135]
The Tirynthians at this time included Lebes, a descendant of Eurystheus. Lebes did not travel with Tlepolemus to Rhodes, but settled in Crete. [136]
Lebes was Mycenaean. [137]
In 1200 BC, Lebes' son Rhacius traveled from Crete to Asia Minor and founded Colophon. [138]
Rhacius wept when he heard from Manto, daughter of Tiresias, about the fall of Thebes to the Epigoni. Lebes was a Mycenaean and was presumably the son of Iphitus, son of Sthenelus. [139]
Iphitus' sister Astymedusa was married to Oedipus, son of Laius of Thebes. [140]
12 Trojan War Period
The tradition states as follows.
Idomeneus, son of Deucalion, son of Minos, and Meriones, son of Molus, son of Minos, led the Cretans in an expedition to Troy. [141]
Idomeneus was accompanied by Dictys, who wrote the "Journal of the Trojan War" in the Phoenician language. [142]
Homer also reportedly copied the record. [143]
Dictys wrote that he received the information through Odysseus, son of Laertes. [144]
After the fall of Troy, Idomeneus and Meriones returned safely to Cnossus. [145]
Afterwards, famine and plague killed many in Crete, leaving only a few inhabitants alive. [146] However, it is unlikely that Minos' grandsons would have been able to lead an expedition away from Crete during the civil war that followed his death, and their expedition to Troy seems a fiction.
13 After the Trojan War
13.1 Migration from Argos
In 1070 BC, Althaemenes, son of Ceisus, son of Temenus, led the Dorians and Pelasgians from Argos to colonize Crete. [147]
The reason for their migration was a famine in Peloponnesos. [148]
The Dorians who lived in Megara were also part of Althaemenes' migration. [149]
The 4th century BC historian Ephorus reports that the Dorians under Althaemenes founded ten cities in Crete. [150]
The migration under Polis and Delphos captured Gortyn and settled with the natives. [151]
Gortyn was founded in 1450 BC by Gortys, son of Tegeates, who emigrated from Tegea in Arcadia. [152]
Polis and Delphos were led by the Minyans, descendants of Philonomus who lived in Amyclae. [153]
The migration of the Dorians and Minyans to Crete is believed to have led to further civil wars.
13.2 End of the Civil War
In 750 BC, Alcamenes, son of Teleclus, king of Sparta, sent Charmidas, son of Euthys, to Crete to end the civil war. [154]
Charmidas moved the people who had built towns far from the sea to the coast and built towns there.
13.3 Migration to Sicily
In 688 BC, Entimus, son of Craton, led the Cretans in migrating to southeastern Sicily and founded Gela. [155]
Antiphemus, who led the Lindians from Rhodes, cooperated with Entimus. [156]
Deinomenes, ancestor of Gelo, the tyrant of Gela, also participated in the founding of Gela from Lindus in Rhodes. [157]
The founding of Gela was 45 years after the founding of Syracuse. [158]
13.4 Marriage to Thera
In 671 BC, Phronime, daughter of Etearchus, was married to Polymnestus, who lived in Thera. [159]
Etearchus, who lived in Oaxos, is probably a descendant of Oaxos, son of Acacallis, the founder of Oaxos. [160]
Polymnestus and Phronime's son Battus led a colony from Thera to Libya and founded Cyrene. [161]
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