- El Greco
El Greco was a painter, sculptor, and architect of the Spanish Renaissance. He usually signed his paintings in Greek letters with his full name, Doménicos Theotokópoulos, underscoring his Greek descent. El Greco was born in Crete, which was at that time part of the Republic of Venice; at 26 he traveled to Venice itself to study, then a common practice of young Greek men who wished to pursue a wider education. - Nikos Kazantzakis
Nikos Kazantzakis, author of poems, novels, essays, plays, and travel books, was arguably the most important and most translated Greek writer and philosopher of the 20th century. Yet he did not become truly well known until the 1964 release of the Michael Cacoyannis film "Zorba the Greek", based on Kazantzakis's novel whose English translation has the same title. - Epimenides
Epimenides of Knossos (Crete) (Greek: ") was a semi-mythical 6th century BC Greek seer and philosopher-poet, who is said to have fallen asleep for fifty-seven years in a Cretian cave sacred to Zeus, after which he reportedly awoke with the gift of prophecy. Plutarch writes in his "Life of Solon" that Epimenides purified Athens after the pollution brought by the Alcmeonidae, … - Eleftherios Venizelos
- Minos
:"For the excavation popularly known as the "Palace of Minos" see "Knossos" In Greek mythology, Minos (in Greek ', genitive ') was a mythical king of the island of Crete, son of Zeus and Europa. After his death, Minos became a judge of the dead in Hades. The Minoan civilization has been named after him. By his wife, Pasiphaë, he fathered Ariadne, Androgeus, Deucalion, Phaedra, Glaucus, Catreus, Acacallis, and many others. - Yannis Smaragdis
Yannis Smaragdis is a Greek film director. He was born in Crete. He studied Film in Greece and Paris, France. He appeared in 1972 with his short film «Two Three Things...» which received the first prize in the Athens Festival as well as a Special Mention in the Montreal Film Festival. Iannis Smaragdis has taught Mass Media courses at the Panteion University of Athens, as well as film direction and screenwriting at film schools in Greece. - Daskalogiannis
"Ioannis Vlachos", known as Daskalogiannis was a Cretan rebel against Ottoman rule in the 18th century. Ioannis Vlachos was a wealthy Cretan ship-owner, born in Anopolis village, Sfakiá, Crete. Because he had some education, his compatriots called him 'Daskalos' (teacher), hence Daskalos plus Ioannis = Daskalogiannis. He is referred to as a town clerk and chairman of the country of Sfakiá as early as 1750. - Constantine Mitsotakis
Constantine Mitsotakis (or Konstantinos Mitsotakis) (born October 18, 1918), Greek politician, was born in Chania, Crete. Like most Greek politicians, he came from a political family: his father and grandfathers were members of parliament, and the great liberal leader Eleftherios Venizelos was his uncle. He graduated in law and economics from the University of Athens and was elected to the Greek Parliament in 1946. - Nikos Xilouris
Nikos Xylouris was a Greek composer and singer from the village of Anoghia in Crete and also the older brother of another great musician of Cretan music, Antonis Xilouris or Psarantonis. He was part of the movement that brought down the Greek military Junta of 1967. His songs and music captured and described the Greek psyche and demeanor. He acquired his first lyre at the age of twelve and displayed potential to play local folk music. - Odysseas Elytis
Odysseas Elytis was a Greek poet, considered as one of the most important representatives of modernism in Greece. Although his original family name was "Alepoudelis", he became famous with the pseudonym 'Elytis'. In 1979 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. - Nana Mouskouri
Nana Mouskouri (born Ioanna Mouskouri on October 13, 1934, in Chania, Crete, Greece) is a singer of Greek origin. She was known as Nana to her friends and family as a child. She recorded many of her songs in many different languages, including Greek, French, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Latin, Portuguese and Japanese among others. She is noted for her trademark squarish black-rimmed eyeglasses and straight black hair parted in the middle, … - George Psychoundakis
George Psychoundakis, November 3 1920 - January 29 2006) was a Greek Resistance fighter on Crete during the Second World War. He was a shepherd, a war hero and an author. He served as dispatch runner between Petro Petrakas and Papadakis behind the German lines for the Cretan Resistance Movement and later, from 1941 to 1945, for the Special Operations Executive (SOE). - Emmanouil Tsouderos
Emmanouil Tsouderos was a political and financial figure of modern Greece as well as the father of Virginia Tsouderou. He was born in Rethymno, Crete in 1882 and studied economics in Greece and abroad. He returned to Crete and was elected Member of Parliament of the Cretan Legislature (1906 - 1912). After the union ("Ενωσις") of Crete with Greece, … - Manos Katrakis
Manos Katrakis (August 14, 1909 in Kastelli Kissamou - September 2, 1984) was a Greek theatrical actor. He was the youngest of five children and his parents were Haralambos Katrakis and Irini Katraki. He moved to Athens when he was 10 because his father's work wasn't going well. His brother Giannis Katrakis emigrated to North America. He played soccer during his childhood and played for the Athinaikos football team among others. - Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki
Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki (born Gianna Daskalaki on December 12, 1955 in Heraklion, Crete) is a Greek politician and business woman. Being born in very simple and poor conditions in Heraklion, Crete, and raised by her mother, a cleaning-lady and her father a warder she early pursued her ambitions, being one of the best pupils in class. She is best known for being the president of the bidding and organizing committee for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. - Vitsentzos Kornaros
Vitsentzos Kornaros or Vincenzo Cornaro was a Cretan Greek poet of the Greek Renaissance who wrote the romantic epic poem "Erotokritos". He was the leading figure of the Cretan Renaissance. Not many biographical sources exist about Kornaros himself apart from the last verses of "Erotokritos". It is believed that he was born to a wealthy family in Sitia, in 1553, and lived there roughly up to 1590. - Maria Damanaki
Maria Damanaki is a Greek politician, former president of the Synaspismos party of the radical left and currently a state member of the Hellenic Parliament within the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). She was born in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, in 1952. She studied chemical engineering in the National Technical University of Athens. As a student, she became a member of the Communist Youth of Greece (Greek: Κομμουνιστική Νεολαία Ελλαδας, KNE), … - Georgios Samaras
Georgios Samaras (Greek: Γιώργος Σαμαράς ; born February 21, 1985 in Heraklion) is a Greek footballer who currently plays as a striker for Manchester City. Samaras moved to the Netherlands at the age of 16, signing for Heerenveen. He made his first team debut in the 2003-04 season, starting a total of ten matches. In the 2005-06 season he scored 6 goals in 13 starts for Heerenveen before joining Manchester City for a fee of £5,250,000 (rising to £6,000,000). - Aenesidemus
Aenesidemus was a Greek sceptical philosopher, born in Knossos on the island of Crete. He lived sometime during the first century BC, taught in Alexandria and flourished shortly after the life of Cicero. He was probably a member of Plato's Academy, but due to his rejection of their theories he revived the principle of "epoché" (εποχή), or suspeded judgement, originally proposed by Pyrrho and Timon, … - Nikos Machlas
Nikolaos Machlas (born 16 June 1973 in Heraklion, Crete) is a Greek footballer who as of 2007 plays as a striker for Cypriot team APOEL FC. He began his career with OFI Crete, where he made his debut in February 1991 against Panionios. He stayed at the club for six seasons before moving to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem in 1996. Machlas scored a disappointing 8 goals in 29 games in his first season in the Eredivisie, … - Eleni Daniilidou
Eleni Daniilidou is a Greek tennis player born in Chania, on the island of Crete. As of 2006, she has won four WTA singles titles and one doubles title. In 2003, she reached the Australian Open mixed doubles final. Her highest singles ranking has been 14th. - Giannis Markopoulos
Giannis Markopoulos (born 1939) is a Greek composer. He lived in Ierapetra Crete until he left high school in 1956 to study music in Athens and begin a career in composition. He had an international hit with the theme music from the British TV series Who Pays the Ferryman. - Michalis Kounelis
Michalis Kounelis was a popular Cretan violinist (see cretan folk music). He was born on December 21 1928 in Karfiana of Polyrrhnia in the provice of Kissamos. He started playing violin since he was ten years old. It is known that when he was in the elementary school, he was usually playing his violin with his cousin, Manolis Katsonakis, another popular cretan musician. He and Manolis Kartsonakis were one of the most popular musical duet during the 50's in Chania. - Marcus Musurus
Marcus Musurus, Greek scholar, was born at Rethymno, Crete. At an early age he became a pupil of John Lascaris at Venice. In 1505, Musurus was made professor of Greek language at the University of Padua. But when the university was closed in 1509 during the War of the League of Cambrai, he returned to Venice where he filled a similar post. In 1516, Musurus was summoned to Rome by Pope Leo X, who appointed him archbishop of Monemvasia (Malvasia) in the Peloponnese, … - Andreas Glyniadakis
Andreas Glyniadakis ; born August 21 1981 in Hania, Greece) is a Greek professional basketball player who currently plays for the Italian League Team Virtus Bologna.<br> A 7'1", 280 lbs. center, Glyniadakis was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 2nd round (58th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft. Before going to play in the United States, he played for Kydon of Hania, Panathinaikos, Peristeri and AEK Athens. - Francesco Barozzi
Francesco Barozzi (in Latin, "Franciscus Barocius") (August 9, 1537-November 23, 1604) was an Italian mathematician and astronomer. - Stylianos Pattakos
Stylianos Pattakos was a Greek military man and one of the masterminds of the Greek military junta of 1967-1974 that overthrew the government of Panagiotis Kanellopoulos in a coup d'état on April 21, 1967. He was born in 1912 in the small village of Agia Paraskevi in Crete and studied at the Hellenic Military Academy. He was commissioned an officer and saw action in World War II. After the war, … - Nikolaos Sifounakis
Nikolaos Sifounakis is a Greek politician, former Minister for the Aegean and currently Member of the European Parliament. He was elected on the Panhellenic Socialist Movement ticket and sits with the Party of European Socialists group. On 23 July 2004 he was elected Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education. - Manolis Mavrommatis
Manolis Mavrommatis (born August 15 1941) is a Greek politician and Member of the European Parliament for New Democracy, belonging to the European People's Party. Born in Platanias, Crete, he studied sociology in the University of Rome, as well as Cinema, Theater and Radio techniques. He started off as a director for short-films and documentaries and moved on directing theatrical acts for the radio as well as for the stage. In 1975 he started working as a sports journalist, … - Evangelos Sarris
Evangelos Sarris (1881-1917) was an officer of the Cretan gendarmerie and one of the leaders of the National Defence movement in Greece. Born in 1881 in Crete Neapoli (province Mjrampelou), Sarris interrupted his studies in 1898 in order to participate in the revolution. Despite his young age, Sarris participated in many battles. When the French army arrived at the department of Lasithi, he enlisted as a volunteer in the gendarmerie. - Alexis Minotis
Alexis Minotakis, known as Alexis Minotis, was born 8 August 1898 or 1899 in Chania, Crete and died on 11 November 1990 in Athens, Greece. Minotis was a distinguished Greek actor and director. He first appeared on stage in his native Crete as Chorus Leader and later as Messenger in Sophocles' "Oedipus Tyrannus". From 1925 until 1930, he worked in close collaboration with the famous Greek actress Marika Kotopouli in her own theatre. - Konstantinos Volanakis
Konstantinos Volanakis was a Greek painter, one of the top of 19th century. Born to a rich family, he went to Trieste, Italy, in 1856 where he took up painting. He studied in the Fine Arts Academy of Munich. He died in 1907. - Terpsichori Chryssoulaki-Vlachou
Terpsichori Chryssoulaki-Vlachou,, born in Sitia,, was a Greek female radio operator working for the Greek resistance during World War II. She was executed by the Nazis when caught. - Maria Spiridaki
Maria Spiridaki, born and raised on the island of Crete, is a Greek fashion model, actress and television presenter. In 2004 she won the title Miss Hellas at the Miss Star Hellas pageant and went on to represent Greece at the Miss World pageant held in Sanya, China in December 2004. In the event Maria made the semifinalists among the top 20 contestants out of 108, who were selected to compete for the Top Fashion Model Award, … - Rika Diallina
Rika Diallina also spelled Dialina and Dialyna, born in Heraklion, Crete, won the Miss Star Hellas title, and went on to represent Greece at the Miss Universe 1954 pageant in Long Beach, California. Rika, along with Miss Korea, Pu Rak Hi, were denied entry into the U.S. because of their alleged Communist affiliations. Diallina was disqualified from obtaining a U.S. visa for allegedly illustrating a book on Communism. - Dimitri Kalergis
Dimitri Kalergis (Demitrios) (1803-1867), Greek statesman, was a Cretan by birth, studied medicine at Paris and on the outbreak of the War of Greek Independence went to the Morea and joined the insurgents. He fought under Georgios Karaiskakis, was taken prisoner by the Turks before Athens and mulcted of an ear; later he acted as "aide de camp" to the French philhellene Colonel Fabvier and to Count Capo d'Istria, Governor of Greece. - Saint Eumenes
Saint Eumenes (Eumenius) was a bishop of Gortyna in Crete during the 7th century (some sources say 3rd century). His feast day occurs on September 18. He gave up his wealth as a young man and was chosen as bishop of Gortyna. Many miracles are attributed to him: he killed a poisonous snake, drove out demons, and healed the sick. He performed miracles at Gortyna, Rome, and in the Thebaid. He died in exile in the Thebaid. - Nikos Papadakis
Nikos Papadakis is a Greek fashion top model and television presenter. He was born in the island of Crete in the start of 1970s. A former naval petty officer he was the winner of the Manhunt International 1994. He is regarded as one of the most handsome male celebrities of Greece. Papadakis was also the co-presenter, alongside with the Greek fashion model Niki Kartsona, of the weekly television show "Lifestyle" in Alter Channel. - Sapfo Notara
Sapfo Notara was a Greek actress, known for her rough voice and style. She didn't want to become a star, so all of her movie roles were as a supporting actress. In Greek movies, she acted in comedies as a servant or a housewife. Notara had a radio programme called "I Kiria Kiriaki". One of her last theatre appearances was in the play "Pornography" (1981). She liked to live alone and died alone. She lived in a damp and filthy room in Koukaki, at the time, … - Ioannis Anastassakis
Ioannis Anastassakis is one of the most recognizable greek guitarists internationally, with rich artistic, compositional, educational, and written work. His main interests lie in flamenco, rock and fusion guitar.
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