Crete

Crete is an island in the Mediterranean sea, and the largest of the Greek islands. It is also the birthplace of Brutii leader and to-be Emperor of Rome Julianus Vatinius.

Its populace was renowned for its archer mercenaries, who were widely considered to be the best archers in the world. The Brutii, who invaded the city around 250 BC, were aware of this. As such they hired many of these Cretan Archers, maintaining a near-monopoly on the recruitment of them. It was not long before they became a core component of every army the Brutii fielded.

Because of their importance and skill, the Cretan Archers were soon romanticised for their deeds. It was the dream of many a young Cretan to once become a member of one of these mercenary bands, with their iconic sun hats and plain green tunics.

However, as time went on, so did military techniques and developments, and the Cretan Archers quickly saw themselves be outdone by Brutii-trained and equipped Roman archers. The recruitment of Cretans quickly dried up, leaving many Cretan Archers, who had expected a glamourous and wealthy career, without a job. Many Archers who had been hired by the Brutii were disbanded and told to find a new life in Palestine or Egypt, where most of them were stationed at the time.

On the insistence of Julianus Vatinius however, a crack cadre of Cretans were to follow him on his campaigns during the Roman civil war. This was likely not only meant as a token of gratitude, but also as a memento of Julianus's Cretan origins.