A Shared World

Focusing on Crete's transition from Venetian to Ottoman control in 1669, the book challenges the simplistic "Christian" versus "Muslim" narrative prevalent in historical interpretations. It presents a nuanced view of the region's cultural and social dynamics, emphasizing the longstanding interactions among Latin Christians, Muslims, and Eastern Orthodox Christians, particularly in commerce. Greene argues that the conquest did not drastically alter life on the island, suggesting a continuity of cultural blending rather than a stark division between eras.