Cyprus is a historical melting pot, rich in an Ancient history. At the crossroads between Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Cyprus provides the perfect geographical positioning between these three continents. During the islands 10,000 year history, Cyprus was conquered by numerous foreign rulers each wanting Cyprus for their own political or economic gain. These different foreign empires are still evident throughout modern-day Cyprus from architecture, food, language and more.
Below we have created a timeline of Cyprus History!
Chalcolithic Age
Mycenaean Greeks join Cyprus.
Middle Bronze Age
Copper mining becomes sustained and in this period trading relationships within the Aegean flourish. Settlements keep to the foothills and plains, in largely agrarian communities.
Late Bronze Age
More Greeks begin to settle in Cyprus. Bronze becomes the primary choice of metal used to make tools, weapons and domestic containers. Bronze makes the life of inhabitants far easier compared to materials used in the past. Many Achaeans settle in Cyprus after returning from the Trojan War. They create influential towns such as Salamis, established by Teucer and Paphos by Agapenor (of Tegea). The Achaeans introduce new language, art, the 12 Olympian gods and culture to Cyprus. They give special honour to Aphrodite the Goddess of love and fertility, who they believe was born from the sea foam in Paphos.
Geometric and Archaic Greek Periods
All the large cities of the Late Bronze Age are destroyed due to natural causes. The first major development was the establishment of new cities or kingdoms. The great Greek city-kingdoms of Salamis, Kourion, Pafos, Marion, Soloi, Lapithos and Tamassos flourish. The second major development was the use of iron in metallurgy. Cyprus enjoys a period of rapidly increasing advancement and prosperity.
Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians
The Assyrians become the first of a series of conquerors to control Cyprus, followed by the Egyptians under emperor Amasis. At this point, the Egyptians, only ruled Cyprus for a short 25 years. The island was then conquered by the Persian empire under King Cyrus.
The Hellenistic Period
Persian rule came to an end after Alexander the Great released Cyprus from the Persians. Cypriot art develops under strong Attic influence. After the passing of Alexander the Great, Kings of Cyprus side with Ptolemy I against Antigonos. The Ptolemies were a Hellenistic colony in Egypt. Strong commercial relationships with Athens and Alexandria maintain Hellenistic influence in Cyprus.
Roman Period
The Romans exploited the Cypriot copper mines. As a result of trade, Cyprus enjoyed a three hundred year period of economic growth under Roman rule. During this period, Cyprus was converted into a Christian island by the Apostles Paul and Barnabas (45 AD).
Byzantine Period
From the 4th – 12th centuries. Cyprus became a part of the Byzantine Empire. During this time, it suffered from repeat Arab raids. To defend the island, the Byzantines organised a special defending force (Akrites) to protect their most vulnerable locations. Additionally, they built several mountain castles. The Church of Cyprus extraordinarily received ecclesiastical autonomy from Constantinople (a practice continued today).
Frankish Period
Then King of England Richard the Lionheart conquered Cyprus and sold it to the French King of the Latin state of Jerusalem Guy de Lusignan.
Venetian Period
In 1489 the final King of Lusignan, James II weds Venetian noblewoman Caterina Cornaro. Caterina becomes the last queen of Cyprus and she surrenders Cyprus to Venice.
The Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire dominate the Venetians and conquer Cyprus. Some 20,000 Turkish people settle on the island and for the first time a Muslim community is established in Cyprus.
British Rule
Under a secret treaty established between Great Britain and the Ottomans, Cyprus is ceded to England. The Greeks of Cyprus continue to demand for enosis or the national restitution and union with Greece, but the British government continue to decline. Facing a political deadlock, the “Ethniki Organosi tou Kypriakou Agona” (EOKA) translating to the “National Organisation for the Cypriot Struggle” is formed, in an anti-colonial effort. Guerrilla warfare is directed at the British. The struggle resulted in an end of British rule in Cyprus, but not to a union with Greece.
National Independence Day of Cyprus
On August 16th, 1960 Cyprus attains independence after the Zurich and London agreement, between the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey. The official date to celebrate Independence Day was changed to the 1st of October however because the weather is too hot in August to celebrate. Archbishop Makarios III becomes the first president of an independent Cyprus.
Intercommunal fighting
Greek Cypriots believed that the Zurich agreement favoured Turkish Cypriots. President Makarios proposes constitutional changes and intercommunal fighting begins. Turkish Cypriots withdraw from the UN and peacekeeping forces arrive in Cyprus. The Green Line is first drawn across Nicosia.
Military coup d’état and the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
A military coup took place in Greece in 1967. The junta tried to seize the political power of President Makarios. Turkey’s reaction to the attempted coup was quick and Turkish military forces invaded immediately. An armed battle followed, and a 40,000 strong Turkish military force managed to seize 1/3 of the island. The Greek Cypriot communities in the north of Cyprus had to flee for their lives and an estimated 200,000 became refugees. Cyprus is still illegally occupied by Turkey today. Its self-established state is not internationally recognised by any country. For years, political leaders have been trying to find a resolution via diplomatic channels.
Archbishop Makarios passes away
Archbishop Makarios passes away suddenly at 63 years of age. Over 250,000 mourners pay their respects at his funeral. He is succeeded by Spyros Kyprianou.
Rauf Denktaş – proclaimed as the president of the ‘Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus’
The Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus is proclaimed by their self-appointed leader. Its sovereignty is only recognised by Turkey. Thousands of mainland Turks illegally settle in the north of the island, many occupying forcibly abandoned, Greek Cypriot homes.
The Republic of Cyprus starts to prosper economically, and the standard of living thrives.
European Member State – 1st May
Cyprus officially becomes a member of the European Union.
Nicos Anastasiades elected as President
Veteran centre-right politician Nicos Anastasiadis is elected as the president of Cyprus. In March the Republic’s financial crash causes banks to close for 12 days while a €10-billion bailout deal is struck. Cyprus submitted a Memorandum application to the European Union for financial assistance.
During re-unification talks, President Anastasiadis and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci make an extraordinary joint, New Year televised address.
Anastasiadis is re-elected as the President of Cyprus
Anastasiadis is re-elected as the President of Cyprus for a second term. First new buffer-zone crossings are opened in eight years at Deryneia in the east and Lefke in the west.
