The Venetian Republic ruled over several Greek territories from the 13th to the 18th century, controlling key areas like Crete (known as the Kingdom of Candia), the Ionian Islands, and parts of the Peloponnese. While Venetian rule brought economic stability and cultural exchanges, it also led to resentment among the Greek population, who often faced heavy taxation and limitations on their Orthodox Christian faith. This tension resulted in several significant rebellions.
One of the most notable uprisings was the Revolt of Saint Titus in Crete in 1363. Local Cretan nobles and Greek leaders, alongside some Venetian settlers, rose against the Venetian authorities, demanding greater autonomy and an end to oppressive policies. The rebellion briefly succeeded, but Venice ultimately crushed it, restoring control and tightening its grip on the island.
Another significant resistance occurred during the Cretan War (1645–1669), when the Ottoman Empire invaded Crete. While the war was primarily between the Venetians and the Ottomans, many Cretan Greeks supported the Ottomans, hoping to end Venetian dominance. After a prolonged siege of Candia (modern Heraklion), the island fell to the Ottomans in 1669, marking the end of Venetian rule in Crete.
In the Peloponnese, Venetian rule was established after the Morean War (1684–1699). However, the Greeks there soon grew dissatisfied with Venetian governance, especially due to heavy taxation. Local unrest and resistance simmered, but large-scale revolts were limited. Eventually, the Ottomans recaptured the region in 1715, effectively ending Venetian control in the Peloponnese.
The Ionian Islands were a different case. Although discontent existed, large-scale revolts were rare. Venetian rule there lasted until 1797, when Napoleon Bonaparte's forces dissolved the Venetian Republic, bringing French influence to the region.
Ultimately, while Greek resistance movements against Venetian rule were driven by a desire for autonomy and better living conditions, they were often unsuccessful in achieving lasting independence. Control usually shifted from Venice to the Ottoman Empire or other European powers, leaving the Greek population under foreign domination until the 19th-century Greek War of Independence.
