For many years, the people of Crete saw vendettas as a way of seeking revenge and maintaining their honor. These vendettas usually arose from disputes between two families, often related to hereditary issues. When one family felt wrong, they would seek revenge by applying the moral law of “an eye for an eye.” This method of justice is not new; it has existed in human societies since ancient times. It was established on the island of Crete during the Minoan years. What do you know about these local revengers?
Cretan people are known for their strong sense of pride and their efforts to uphold their honor in every aspect of life. The concept of vendettas, which involves maintaining a long-standing feud between families, was prevalent in various regions of Greece and particularly widespread on the island of Crete. This practice was also common in several Mediterranean and Arab countries. However, with the influence of modern Western standards, this phenomenon seems to be weakening in Greece’s present-day society.
For the Cretans, vendettas were a form of punishment based on the concept of honor and protection. This honor primarily concerned members of the same family who aimed to maintain their identity and social prestige, which were often threatened by the actions of a rival family. To resolve their differences, they often resorted to violence. However, most of the time they chose to settle their disputes in the courtroom, which was considered a symbolic place for the administration of justice. During the trial, the avenger from the rival family would attack the perpetrator, taking justice into their own hands. Most of the time the perpetrators were imprisoned, but as soon as they were released they sought to continue what they started.
However, the revenge as a victim did not bring closure to the conflict. It led to an endless cycle of retaliation between rival families that could endure for years and result in numerous casualties. An infamous example was the longest recorded Cretan feud which lasted for 70 years and claimed over 60 lives between both families. The vendetta ended with the only effective way to bring about an end to such feuds; to have influential individuals from both families mediate and arrange marriages to establish peace. The arrangements sometimes took several attempts, and it even took more than one marriage to bring lasting peace between the families. Another solution was for potential perpetrators or victims to relocate to other cities in an attempt to end the feud. The decision to leave behind family, friends, and home could be a difficult one, but it was necessary to break the cycle of violence. This decision had to be permanent, as returning might reignite the conflict.
Vendettas might be a common occurrence in many Mediterranean and Arab countries, but in Greece, it was mainly prevalent in Crete with most cases being recorded in Heraklion, Rethymno, and Chania. Although it began to decline in the 20th century, it still exists today, and a few vendettas are still active in the mountain villages of Crete. This primitive way of revenge has inspired many artists in the fields of theater, film, and television, and they often portray it dramatically or comically.
While visiting Crete, you do not need to worry about being randomly attacked by a vengeful Cretan. Vendettas were typically carried out only between members of families who had disputes with each other. During your stay on the island, you may hear older residents recount stories about notorious families that have left their mark on the island in the past. As for the Cretan knife, which was once used to settle disputes, it is now a popular souvenir among locals and visitors.