The prefecture was inhabited for the first time in the early Neolithic period (5700-2800 BC). Next comes the Minoan period (2800-1100 BC), which is divided into Pre-Palace (2800-1900 BC), Paleopalace (1900-1700 BC), Neo-Palace (1700-1400 BC) and Late Palace (1400-1100 BC).
The oldest traces of human presence in the area date back to the early Neolithic era. The Cave of the Bank on the northern side of the Lasithi plateau is one of the confirmed Neolithic sites. During the middle of the 3rd millennium BC new racial elements entered the coastal parts of the region, probably coming from Asia Minor. With the introduction of copper, during the pre-palatial period, a new way of life begins and an original and highly developed art is created which contains, in seminal form, the elements that later characterized the Minoan civilization.
During the palaeopalatial period that followed, a new cultural rise was noted. Architecture, pottery and seal carving were constantly evolving. The destruction of 1700 BC it did not cause a disruption of civilization in the region. The damage was repaired in a short time and Minoan life entered a period of greater prosperity. Thus, the neo-palace period is particularly prosperous, in all areas. New settlements are built, not only in the coastal areas but also inland, in barren areas (Myrtos Ierapetras, Mochlos, Zakros, Palaikastro, Hamaizi), palaces, mansions, luxurious farmhouses and important naval bases are created. At the easternmost end of the prefecture, in the small bay of Kato Zakros, the fourth largest palace of Crete was built. The main naval bases, which ensured both the connection with the East and Egypt and the consolidation of the Minoan sea rule, are created in Ierapetra, Makris Gialos, Zakros, Palaikastro and Mochlos. The Minoans were masters of the seas, they felt confident in their power and did not worry about invaders. This is also confirmed by the fact that all the settlements were unattached. During the same period, there is a great development of all the arts (ceramics, painting, metalwork, plastic, etc.). This is also confirmed by the fact that all the settlements were unattached. During the same period, there is a great development of all the arts (ceramics, painting, metalwork, plastic, etc.). This is also confirmed by the fact that all the settlements were unattached. During the same period, there is a great development of all the arts (ceramics, painting, metalwork, plastic, etc.).
However, the disasters that occurred around 1450 BC. hit the area, whose radiation was kept to a minimum. From the Late Palace period, the decline begins. In 1100 BC come Dorian races, pre-eminently warlike and barbarous. After long wars, the Dorians prevail and the Minoan civilization ends. During the classical and Hellenistic times, the quarrels between the new cities of the region resulted in a new social composition with rivalries, dissensions and intense hostility. Some of them are Driros, Lato, Olous, Praisos and Ierapytna. Intense hostility leads to civil wars between cities. However, during this period the Cretans emerged as excellent warriors with a huge reputation throughout Greece. Many Greek cities use Cretans as mercenaries in their troops. Unfortunately, however, the island is weakened by the lack of fighting men and submits to the Romans in 69 BC. After the Roman conquest, the area connected its fate with that of the rest of the island. In 66 BC the last fortress of Crete, Ierapytna, fell. The Romans kept an eye on the position of Crete as it was at the crossroads of three continents and was the path to the east. The island becomes a Roman Province and goes through a period of prosperity. The civil wars between the cities cease and cities that had been abandoned for a thousand years are inhabited, such as Mochlos and Pachia Ammos. Trade is again in full swing.
The island came under the Arab yoke in 824, which lasted about a century and a half (824-961). The Arabs sail the Mediterranean unmolested, as the Byzantine state is tested by internal problems and occupy Crete and Sicily. Burn the Cretan landing ships, destroy cities, kill. The Christian element suffers severe persecution but tries to save its religion, morals and customs as much as it can. During this period, Handax, today's city of Heraklion, was built. Handax is the center and stronghold of the Saracen Arabs. In March 961 Nikiforos Phokas conquers Khandakas and Crete comes back under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. The population is boosted by the settlement of Byzantium soldiers and families. The second The Byzantine period (961-1204) is memorable for the history of Crete, because it acquired new powers after the trials of the Arab occupation. The island, especially the prefecture of Lasithi, is full of Byzantine monuments with characteristic illustrations. Unfortunately, the Byzantine Empire was overthrown and distributed to the Crusaders. Crete is under the rule of the leader of the Fourth Crusade, Boniface of Momferatikos. Finally the island comes under the rule of the Venetians. The Venetian rule lasted from 1204 to 1669. To secure their conquests, the Venetians rebuilt the castle of Sitia that had been destroyed by an earthquake and built new fortresses on the coast and in the interior: in Krya, Voila, Liopetro, Agios Nikolaos, in Ierapetra and Spinalonga. The latter remained under their control even after the final conquest of Crete by the Turks (1669), together with Souda and Gramvousa. The Venetians are strongly influenced by the Cretans and eventually assimilate into the language, traditions and political ideas. Of course, there were rebellions and mutinies against the Venetians, but the Cretans were able to develop letters and the fine arts.
The Turkish rule (1645-1897) was a particularly hard period for the prefecture of Lasithi. After the fall of Constantinople, the Turks begin to expand towards all the Greek cities. In June 1645, a Turkish siege begins in Chania, which surrenders after two months of resistance. Little by little, the rest of the cities follow, although the Venetians cooperated with the Cretans to avoid the raiders. Eventually, the Turks become masters of the island. Despite the tyranny and the hardships, the Greeks resist and we are led to the Revolution of 1821. Crete fights alongside the rest of the cities of Greece. But the London protocol of 3.2.1830, which defines the borders of Greece, excludes Crete from the Greek state. The Cretan people are not discouraged and continue the struggles. The revolutions of 1833, 1841, 1858, 1866, 1878, 1889 and 1897 followed, which brought the Cretans closer to their autonomy. In the revolution of the period 1866-69, the Lasithi plateau was the fortress of central and eastern Crete. In 1897 a new revolution broke out centered on the Sitia area. After the last revolution of 1897, Turkey recognizes Crete as an autonomous state under the high suzerainty of the Sultan. The Cretan state is being organized. The economy is booming. Peace, order and quiet prevail. The period of autonomy followed, and in October 1912, despite the interventions of some non-Greece actors, all of Crete was united with the rest of Greece. the Lasithi plateau was the fortress of central and eastern Crete. In 1897 a new revolution broke out centered on the Sitia region. After the last revolution of 1897, Turkey recognizes Crete as an autonomous state under the high suzerainty of the Sultan. The Cretan state is being organized. The economy is booming. Peace, order and quiet prevail. The period of autonomy followed, and in October 1912, despite the interventions of some non-Greece actors, all of Crete was united with the rest of Greece. the Lasithi plateau was the fortress of central and eastern Crete. In 1897 a new revolution broke out centered on the Sitia area. After the last revolution of 1897, Turkey recognizes Crete as an autonomous state under the high suzerainty of the Sultan. The Cretan state is being organized. The economy is booming. Peace, order and quiet prevail. The period of autonomy followed, and in October 1912, despite the interventions of some non-Greece actors, all of Crete was united with the rest of Greece. The economy is booming. Peace, order and quiet prevail. The period of autonomy followed, and in October 1912, despite the interventions of some non-Greece actors, all of Crete was united with the rest of Greece. The economy is booming. Peace, order and quiet prevail. The period of autonomy followed, and in October 1912, despite the interventions of some non-Greece actors, all of Crete was united with the rest of Greece.

Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou