An Essay on Crete Studies in Turkey

Abstract

In this paper, Crete-related studies in Turkish are classified in an order. Mainly, the ways Crete has come into question in Turkey are evaluated. In the West, Crete came into question for the first time in relation with the debates on the origin of civilization. Being suggested as a critical viewpoint against the thesis that the Greek civilization had been the cradle for the Western civilization, Crete came into question also in our country in this respect by way of translated publications originated in the West. In 1960's, Crete became an object for study again in relation with the discussions on the mode of production and consequently the discussion was transfered also to Turkey through translated publications. However, widespread studies on Crete in Turkish literature have been about the period the island was under the Ottoman rule. Lastly, in the recent period, the ever increasing exchange studies and novels about Crete have enriched the literature regarding the subject matter.