Cretan Naval Bases in 218 B.C.

Cretan Naval Bases — Ptolemaic Egypt › The Overseas Empire.

Itanos at the eastern tip of Crete and allied harbours along the coast — way-stations on the sea-lanes between Egypt, the Aegean and the west, and recruiting grounds for the famed Cretan archers and mercenaries. Amid the endless wars of the Cretan cities, the Ptolemaic garrison at Itanos gives the fleet a foothold and a steady supply of fighting men.