Vitsentzos Kornaros

Vitsentzos Kornaros, a towering figure in Cretan literature, is celebrated for his masterful epic poem Erotokritos to this day. Born in 1553 in the village of Trapezonda near modern Sitia in eastern Crete, Kornaros was part of a prominent Venetian-Cretan family. His upbringing in a culturally vibrant environment influenced by Venetian, Western, and Greek traditions, significantly shaped his writings.

Details for Kornaros’s early life are not known. However, it is believed that he received Greek and Latin education, which later influenced his writing style. During the 16th century, when he married, he moved to Candia, modern Heraklion, the administrative and cultural heart of Venetian Crete. There, he joined a literary circle known as Accademia dei Stravaganti and became involved in the cultural renaissance that Crete was experiencing in that period under Venetian rule.

“Erotokritos” is the most known work of Kornaros, penned in the early 17th century. This epic poem has over 10.000 fifteen-syllable rhymed verses and narrates the tale of the noble Erotokritos and his passionate love for Aretousa, the daughter of King Heracles. After many trials and tribulations, their love unfolds, mirroring the romantic ideals of the era, such as love, honor, and bravery. This poem is extremely admired not only for its narrative but also for its linguistic elegance, showcasing the beauty of the Cretan dialect.

Even though much of his later life remains a mystery, his legacy continues via his masterpiece “Erotokritos”, a symbol of Cretan literary tradition. He died around 1613 in Crete and was buried at the church of San Francesco.