THE ANCIENT YEARS

A geological catastrophe-the eruption of the volcano of Santorini in 1450 B.C.-halted the Minoan civilization at its height. But life did not cease. Through shipping, commerce and trade with other peoples-the Phoenicians, Syrians, Egyptians-opened up new horizons. With the invasion of the Achaians and the Dorians on the island the new cities of Lato and Aptera were founded. Lato became the most important city on Crete (7th century B.C.).