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The Byzantine fortification of Temenos and the historical significance of the

In 961 a.d. after Arabic month siege of Chandax, the Byzantine army with his victory restores Crete within the Byzantine Empire, after 135 years of Arab conquest. Nikiforos fokas thought and acted with determination and monolithic featuring the military.

So, before leaving the island wanted to strengthen the Byzantine domination on the island, ensuring a future dynamic presence in the area south of the Aegean Sea and North Africa. His military experience like in the countryside "Arabomachos" General showed that the weak point of Arabic art war were the attacks on its fortified cities. The brave and experience in war Arabs warriors did not possess well the art and technique of the siege, which gave precedence to the Byzantines when managed to effectively barricading themselves into fortresses. First concern, therefore, of the victorious was to demolish the walls of Candia entirely so that it cannot be the habitation of now. Decided to move the capital to another place which will provide satisfactory security for the administrative and financial activities. Following the info locals visited the site himself of the steep hill of Roka a short distance south of Candia. Considered as appropriate the space to provide protection to the new administrative and military centre of Crete. Gave order to build fast fortress on the Hill of Roka which he named Temenos. The Fort is located 20 km. South of Heraklion on the hill with an altitude of 507 metres Rocket, built on the ruins of the Acropolis, the Minoan (as informs us the Sterg. Spanakis). For the location of the fortress the Leo the deacon says: (= Arrives on a hill high and steep, standing not far from the ruined city with a large number of people to build wall. Because the site seemed safe and fortified with ravines and steep cliffs around the surrounding and because from the top wellspring the waters flowed. And after safely fortified the place set up army to reside and named the City Temenos).

The aim of the victorious was to install the entire Christian population of Candia there with a powerful military force that is inside the fortress built buildings able to House ten to fifteen thousand population.

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