I've always been interested in the history of Malta, as a strategic Mediterranean crossroads island. I finally managed to visit earlier last year and it was such a wonderful experience (highly recommended, especially for those on the continent). Much of the island's character is based on the Knights of St. John, who ruled the island a couple hundred years.

From what I saw, each successive ruler of the island after the "Great Seige" in the 1530s continued to build bigger, more impressive, more expansive fortifications. It seemed the whole island was one massive fort. Their entire existence for hundreds of years was based on repelling another invasion of the island, but when finally they were presented with an invader they nearly immediately surrendered without so much as firing a shot. Why did they not resist? Why did they not at least attempt to defend the island they spent so much time and treasure preparing to defend?

If there is a better place to ask this question, I apologize and ask to be pointed in the right direction.