The Tale That Shaped a People: Erotokritos of Crete

Vincenzo Cornaros’ timeless epic still echoes through the verses, voices, and hearts of Crete.

Crete cannot be without Erotokritos, and Erotokritos cannot be without Crete. He is the timeless hero of a Cretan love story written in over 10,000 fifteen-syllable rhyming verses by the poet Vincenzo Cornaros — a man of Venetian origin, wealth, and literary flair. Cornaros was a member of the Accademia degli Stravaganti (“Academy of the Strange Ones”), a detail that instantly endeared him to many of us who first encountered him as schoolchildren.

Born in 1553 in Sitia, Cornaros was educated, well-read, and deeply inspired by the literary fashion of writing in verse. In 2019, the Greek Ministry of Culture named it the Year of Erotokritos, honoring both the story and its beloved author.

Who Is Erotokritos?

Erotokritos is a young, brave, loyal man — the son of a trusted advisor to the king. He falls in love with Aretousa, the king’s daughter. Knowing he’s not of noble birth and cannot declare his feelings, he serenades her under her window at night. She gradually falls for him, but when the king learns of this, he attempts to arrest Erotokritos.

He escapes into exile in Chalkida. Meanwhile, Aretousa tends to Erotokritos’ ill father and discovers his love letters and sketches. The king tries to marry her off to princely suitors, but she resists. The lovers endure exile, battles, disguises, curses, and moments of despair before finally reuniting. It’s a classic tale of love against all odds — with a well-earned happy ending.

Why Cretans Love It

The story resonates deeply with the people of Crete. Cornaros, clever and forward-thinking, wrote it in the Cretan dialect, knowing it would speak directly to the locals. The dialect naturally carries a musical rhythm and rhyme — especially in the form of mantinades, Crete’s beloved poetic couplets.

Even more remarkable is the reprinting of the book in the 1700s, a rarity for its time. Families prized it so much that copies were passed down as heirlooms, sometimes causing disputes over who would inherit them.

The story’s musical connection runs just as deep. The legendary Nikos Xylouris recorded verses from Erotokritos with melodies said to be over 300 years old. The sound of the Cretan lyra, when it begins, still gives listeners goosebumps. It’s not just music; it’s memory, identity, and pride.

In a land shaped by centuries of foreign rule, Erotokritos gave Cretans something to believe in: that loyalty, bravery, and love can triumph — even if only in story.

Cornaros’ creation made Crete known to scholars across the world and solidified his place as one of Greece’s most celebrated literary figures. His words are still taught in schools, recited in homes, and held dear in Cretan hearts.

A Living Legacy

2019 was filled with cultural events across Crete celebrating Cornaros and his masterpiece. And even now, years later, the story lives on — not just in books, but in music, language, and spirit.

So if you love a great love story and find yourself on this island, seek out the echoes of Erotokritos. Listen for his voice in mantinades, in music, and in the hearts of the Cretan people.

I know I will.

— The Terra Creta Explorer