An island in the eastern Mediterranean, Crete fell under Saracen control and became a major base for piracy, remaining beyond Byzantine reach for over a century despite repeated attempts at reconquest. A planned expedition under Bardas collapsed following his murder, and subsequent efforts under Basil likewise came to nothing. Nikephoros Phokas finally restored the island to imperial control in a swift campaign, ending 136 years of Muslim rule and marking the start of his rise as one of Byzantium's foremost military commanders.
What each episode says
Episode 12 (3 mentions)
Crete had been taken over by the Saracens and become a foremost nest of piracy. Bardas was planning an expedition against it when he was murdered by Basil, and the expedition subsequently came to nothing even after Basil became sole emperor.
“of planning an expedition against the island of Crete,”
“With that, the expedition to Crete was over.”
“In the west, the long-delayed expedition to Crete”
Episode 13 (1 mention)
An island the empire had been trying to reconquer for well over a century before Nikephoros Phokas stormed it in one brilliant campaign, restoring it to imperial control after 136 years of Muslim rule — described as only the beginning of Phokas' extraordinary military career.
“The empire had been trying to reconquer Crete for well over a century, and in one brilliant”
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