It was known by the name Erimoupolis and is located 2km from Vai. It was one of the most powerful cities in Crete during the Greco-Roman times, which evolved thanks to its fishing and trade with Tyrian purple. The temple of the Diktean Zeus and the Lefki Island (today Koufonisi), which was famous for its production of porphyry, belonged to Itanos. The large marble buildings bespeak its prosperity, which had several temples, its own currency, and was the main rival of Ieraptyna (today’s Ierapetra). Its decline was due to natural disasters and the following pirate raids. However, it continued to exist in the early Byzantine period, during which many Christian churches were built, whose remains are still standing.