Crete, Emirate of

The Emirate of Crete is a Muslim state that exists on the Mediterranean island of Crete from the late 820s to the Byzantine reconquest of the island in 961.

Although the emirate recognizes the suzerainty of the Abbasid Caliphate and maintains close ties with Tulunid Egypt, it is de facto independent.A group of Andalusian exiles conquers Crete in ca.

824 or in 827/828, quickly establishing an independent state.

Numerous attempts by the Byzantine Empire to recover the island fail disastrously, and for the approximately 135 years of its existence, the emirate (called Iqritish or Iqritiya by the Arabs) is one of the major foes of Byzantium.

Crete commands the sea lanes of the Eastern Mediterranean and functions as a forward base and safe haven for corsair fleets from the Muslim world that ravages the Byzantine-controlled shores of the Aegean Sea.

The emirate's internal history is less well-known, but all accounts point to considerable prosperity deriving not only from piracy but also from extensive trade and agriculture.

The emirate is brought to an end by Nikephoros Phokas, who launches a huge campaign against it in 960–961.