TRAVELS IN CRETE (ΔΙΤΟΜΟ)

Παρουσίαση

Before the outbreaking of the Greek revolution, Crete was the worst governed province of the Turkish Empire; the local authorities were wholly unable to control the license of the Janissaries, who consisted solely of Cretan Mohammedans, and made it a point of honour not to suffer any one of their members to be brought to justice for any ordinary crime. So completely did every Pasha, appointed by the Sublime Porte, depend on this turbulent militia, that his authority always ceased as soon as they resisted it; which, on several occasions, they did, so far as even to depose him and to send to Constantinople in order to obtain the confirmation of his successor's election as made by themselves. In one or other of their regiments almost every Cretan Mohammedan was enrolled; and it is easy to conceive what must have been the condition of the Christian population.
Besides the grinding oppressions of the regular authorities, and of the different corps of Janissaries, every Greek was also at the mercy of the lowest Mohammedan of the island, who, in consequence of the weakness of the local government, could make any demand, and perpetrate any enormity with complete security. Thus, literally, no Christian was master of his own house: any Mohammedan might pass his threshold, and either require from him money, or, what was far commoner, send the father out of the way, on some pretext, and himself remain with the wife or daughter. [...]
(From the publisher)

Περιεχόμενα

I. View of the White Mountains
Arrival at Khania
The Ramazan and Carnival
Town of Khania
Venetian remains
Lion of Saint Mark
Saint Titus the Patron of Crete
Consuls of the European powers
Festival of the Bairam
Visit to Ismael-bey
Language of the Cretans
The Mohammedans of Crete drink wine
The site of Cydonia determined
II. Visit of Haghios Eleytherios
Description of the monasteries and grottos of the Akroteri
III. From Khania to Paleokastron near the bay of Sudha
Effects of Venetian misgovernment
Cretan and Molossian dogs
Cretan character
IV. Description of the ruins at Palaeokastron
Discovery of a sarcophagus, a statue and ancient inscriptions
Political power of the Cretan Demos
Determination of the sites of Minoa, Amphimalla, Aptera and Kissamos [...]