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Gortys or Gortyn is one of the most important ancient cities of prehistoric Crete. Almost 100,000 tourists visited the archaeological site of Gortys in 2006. Whilst its story goes back as far as the Minoan period, one particularly important period was that which followed the occupation of Crete by the Dorians (1100 BC). Later, during the Roman occupation (68 BC), Gortys was the largest city and the Capital of Crete and Northern Africa. The city was destroyed in 828 AD by Arabs.
One of the many important facts about Gortys is that it was the first city that accepted Christianity. The first Christian temples were built there and the remnants of the largest and most important Christian cathedral of Crete can still be seen today. The cathedral is dedicated to St. George's Cathedral Titus, the first Bishop of Crete (6th century AD).
Parts of the Roman settlement, such as the theater (2nd century AD), have been unearthed during excavations. The theater has two entrances and a halfcircular orchestra which the outline of which can still be seen today.
Behind the Roman Theater you can see the socalled "Queen of the Inscriptions". These inscriptions are the laws of the city of Gortys. The law code of Gortys is inscribed, in the Dorian dialect, on large stone slabs and it is still plainly visible.
The heart of Roman Gortys, is the Praetorium, the seat of the Roman Governor of Crete. Praetorium was built in the 1st century AD, but it was altered significantly over the next eight centuries. In the same area you will admire the ruins of the Roman baths, as well as the temple of Apollo and the temple of the Egyptian gods.
Gortys is connected to the myth of Zeus and Europe. Zeus, the father of all gods, fall in love with Europe, the princess of Finiki in Asia Minor. The young princess was playing with her friends by the beach when Zeus transformed into a beautiful white bull and galloped towards her. Europe accredited the approaching bull and jumped on his back. Zeus (still as a bull) galloped off and crossed the sea until they reached the city of Gortys. He and Europe had an affair under a plane tree (platanos), a tree that may still be seen today in Gortys.
Following this affair three boys were born and they later became the kings of the three Minoan Palaces in Crete. The mention of 'Europe' in this myth gives a weight to the claim that the civilization of the European continent was born on the island of Crete.
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Source by Yannis Samatas