Why are cretans called liars?

Cretans are often referred to as liars due to a famous paradox attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Epimenides, a Cretan himself. He famously stated, "All Cretans are liars," which creates a self-referential contradiction: if he is telling the truth, then he is lying, and if he is lying, then he is telling the truth. This paradox has led to the enduring stereotype of Cretans as untrustworthy. The phrase has since evolved into a broader commentary on the nature of truth and deception.