Charalambos Gasparis

Metropolitan Authority and Colonial Officials. The Capitaneus Crete. XIV-XV c.

A new official, the Capitaneus Crete, has been appointed for the first time after the revolt of St. Titus (1363-1366) to protect the venetian dominion in Crete against any internal or foreign enemy.

Capitaneus is the chief of the Cretan feudal and mercenary army, responsible for the island defence. He participates to the local government (regimen), as an equal with the Duke of Candia and his two Counsellors. Before leaving Venice, the capitaneus, as every venetian official, swears to the main principle of the venetian colonial policy, that is to fight «for the honour and the profit of the Venetian state» and also «for the good and the security of the colony».

The commissio of capitaneus Crete Nicolaus Mudatio (1411) offers a panorama of the capitaneus' restrictions and jurisdictions as a high official of the venetian colony of Crete. He is appointed by the metropolitan authorities for a two-year period of time with an annual payment of 1.000 venetian ducati. Among his other duties, the capitaneus has to organise and keep the army ready to defend the island whenever is needed; he also administers justice among the mercenaries and he is responsible for keeping the order in the city and the burgo of Candia. As far as his participation to the regimen is concerned, his contribution to decisions related to internal or foreign affairs is quite significant.