Pirates of Crete

• The Pirates of Crete appeared during the First Macedonian War (214-205 BCE), after which Crete became a pirate Island.
• They were in constant war with the Rhodian Navy, and were allies of the Pirates of Cilicia.

History

• During the Macedonian Wars between Macedonia and Rome, Crete sided with Philip V of Macedon.
• Crete became a Pirate Island during the Civil War between Knossos, Cydonia and Gortyna.
• The Pirates of Crete controlled Cape Maleas, the southernmost tip of the Peloponnese, which all shipping between Italy and Greece had to pass around.
• The Rhodian Navy pursued these Pirates until 154 BCE.

• In 201 BCE the Pirates were allied with Philip V of Macedon and fought against Rhodes in the Battle of Chios.
• Rome unsuccessfully intervened with Ambassadors in 184, 180 and 174 BCE.
• In 154 BCE Rhodes invaded Crete unsuccessfully and Rome‘s influence increased.
• Piracy now became the dominant occupation during second and first century BCE in Crete.
• They were joined by the Pirates of Cilicia who were allied with Mithridates VI of Pontus against Rome.

Other Pirates

• Pirates of Cilicia
• Pirates of the Tyrrhenian Sea
• Pirates of Liburnia
• Pirates of the Black Sea

Crete