For the next four centuries, Rhodos follows the destiny of the rest of Greece, failing to watch the rapid development taking place in Europe and entering an obscure period of economic and cultural decadence. The only elements that manage to survive through these gloomy years are national conscience, language, religion and local traditions.

In 1912, Italy, being in a state of war against the Ottoman Empire, occupies Rhodos, along with the rest of the Dodecanese (the twelve surrounding islands), following a colonial policy which resulted to the strong objection from the local people (who had initially seen it as liberation). After the end of the Second World War and a brief period under the British command, Rhodos and the rest of the Dodecanese finally become part of Greece, on March the 7th 1948.