In 395 Crete became part of the Byzantine Empire. From the 9th to the second half of the 10th century it was captured by the Venetians, who ruled the island until the Ottoman conquest in 1669. A Greek uprising and declaration of independence followed, but Turkey soon regained control of the island. For 22 years in the 19th century, Crete belonged to Egypt. In 1898 it became an autonomous republic under the protectorate of the Ottoman Empire.
