Romans, Pirates...

  Under the domination of the Romans,
Karpathos becomes an island of strategic importance because it becomes one of the three Naval Stations of Rome in the Mediterranean.

Karpathos maintains this strategic power during the Byzantine Empire
as well. Historical sources mention that the ships of the Karpathian Naval Station lead Nikiforos Fokas to Crete in 961 A.D.

During the rule of Emperor Dioklitianos (284-305 A.D.) Karpathos was incorporated in the “Provincia Insolarum” and during the rule of Emperor Herakleius (610-641 A.D.)

  Almost three centuries (mid 7th till mid10th century A.D.) of decline
and desolation follow. Pirates from N.Afica and Asia cause terror and fear
to the islanders especially the populations living near the coast.

In these years most coastal settlements are abandoned and the populations move to the Medieval mountain villages which are still inhabited even today.
           
  Between 1204 and 1312 A.D. Karpathos was found in the centre
of conflict among the Byzantines, the Genoan St. John Knights and the Venetians who claimed the island each for their own interests.

The latter, with Andreas Kornaros, prevailed in the end and kept ruling Karpathos and Kasos till 1538 A.D. when Chairentin Barbarossa occupied the islands on behalf of the Turks.

   In 1821 Karpathos took part in the Greek revolution of independence against the Turks.

However, after a ten-year of freedom all the Dodekanese islands become part of the Ottoman Empire once again.

  In 1912 the Dodekanese come under Italian occupation till 1944
when people revolt against the Italians and call the English allies
for help but who in turn take over the island for a short while.

  In March of 1948  Karpathos together with all the islands of the Dodekanese is liberated and is united with Greece.

Continue....Civilisation, Folklore and Tradition