Byzantine Battles: Invasion of Crete

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4 th century

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5 th century

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6 th century

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7 th century

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8 th century

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9 th century

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15 th century

Invasion of Crete	year: 828
A failed attempt by the Byzantines to recapture Crete	★ ★ ★ ★ ★

enemy: Arabs (Andalusian)	location: Island of Crete	accuracy: ●●●●●
battle type: Surprise Attack	war: Byzantine-Muslim Wars	modern country: Greece

	▼ The Byzantines(emperor: Michael II the Stammerer)	▼ The Enemies
Commander:	Krateros	Abu Hafs
Forces:	70 ships
Losses:

Background story:

In 824 (or perhaps 827) Arab fugitives from Andalusia landed in Crete. The Saracens did not find much resistance and indulged in destruction and looting as they slowly occupied the whole island. This time the goal was not just plundering, but the permanent installation. All the churches on the island were demolished, while the surviving inhabitants hurried to become Muslims to save their lives. Gortyna, the capital of Crete, was destroyed and Archbishop Cyril was killed. Very quickly the Arabs established their own capital Khadak (the Byzantine Handax, today's Heraklion).
Thus, the Emirate of Crete was created, which formally belonged to the Abbasid caliphate, but was essentially an independent pirate state.

A first attempt to retake Crete by Byzantium was made in 827 but failed miserably.

The Battle:

the chase and the torture of Krateros in the Skylitzes manuscript

In 828, a new attempt was made to reconquer Crete with 70 ships. The leader was the strategos (governor) of the Thema of Kivirraioton Krateros.
The army of Krateros is believed to have landed at Amnissos, east of Heraklion. There he fought with the Saracens and defeated them. In the evening of the same day the Byzantines encamped nearby, by the river Karteros (sic – which seems to have taken its name from the Byzantine commander) and celebrated their victory.
But apparently they neglected to guard the camp and at night the Arabs attacked them. The surprise attack was completely successful and the Byzantine force was annihilated.
Krateros managed to escape the slaughtering and left in a boat. The Arabs chased him. They caught him in Kos island, where they crucified him.
The dramatic end of Krateros and his campaign, and also the realization of the fact that Crete had been lost to Byzantium, was a shock for Constantinople.

Noteworthy:

It is believed that despite the prevalence of the Arabs, Byzantine pockets remained on the island for at least 15 years. But after that, not a single Christian was left. When Crete was recaptured in 961 by Nikephoros Fokas, the opposite happened: not a single Muslim was left.

Aftermath:

After this success, it was obvious that the Saracens came to stay in Crete. 828 was the year of their complete domination on the island. The event transformed the naval balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean and opened up the Aegean Sea coasts to frequent and devastating raids. It was the beginning of the “golden age” of piracy in the Aegean.