Europa riding a bull is the symbol of Gortyna and the labyrinth is the symbol of Cnossus. An alliance of Cnossus and Gortys, formed c. 220 B.C., took control of all of Crete, except for the Spartan colony of Lyttos. Cnossus and its allies moved against Lyttos, but for some unknown reason the Cretans began to quarrel. Polyrrhenia, Lappa, and some other cities defected to Lyttos. In Gortys the citizens were divided, the elder Gortynians remained loyal to Cnossus, while the younger Gortynians favored Lyttos. Perhaps this coin was struck at this time to help regain Gortynian support. While the Cnossians were occupied at Gortys, the mass of the Lyttian warriors left their city to invade the enemy territory. The Cnossians learned of their plan, attacked undefended Lyttos, captured all the women and children, and razed the city to the ground. The Lyttian warriors abandoned their devastated city and settled in Lappa. The war continued for several years, but the further history is lost. We do know it favored Cnossus' enemies. The Lyttians eventually returned to their territory and rebuilt their city on a nearby hill. |  |