Cyprus History
Cyprus history goes back over 9000 years and it has seen romance, turbulence and an interesting variety of cultures… The writer Richard Byron once said about Cyprus, "History in this island is almost too profuse. it gives one a sort of mental indigestion." He's not wrong! The island is the bridge that links three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa, and its strategic position has made it sought after for many centuries. Any civilisation who’s anyone has attempted (and usually succeeded!) to take over the island. The Romans, Egyptians, Ottomans and Greeks are just a few of the civilisations who can stake in a claim in the history of Cyprus. Because of this, the island is literally one big open air museum. The remains of many of the civilisations are still visible today, from Byzantine art, Ancient Greek architecture, Venetian ruins and Ottoman restorations. Many legendary figures of history, such as Richard the Lionheart and Cleopatra, have also left their mark in the island’s legacy. Romantic Cyprus HistoryCyprus history is famous for its romances between both real-life and mythical couples. The island is best known for being the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. Many infamous myths, such as that of Aphrodite and Adonis, took place right here on the island. The tragic relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Anthony is one of history’s greatest love stories, and Cyprus is an integral part of their tragic relationship. This real-life Romeo and Juliet fell in love at first sight and married amid much controversy and even death threats from the Roman Empire. As a wedding present and to prove his devotion, Mark Anthony gave his new bride the beautiful island of Cyprus. After all, what more could a girl ask for…? Cyprus Timeline
• 2300-1500 BC – The Bronze Age of Cyprus • 1200 BC – The Cult of Aphrodite begins • 1050-750 BC – The Cypriot Iron Age. Also the start of the Phoenician period • 700-BC – Cyprus is taken over by Assyrian rule • 560 BC – The Egyptian empire takes over the island • 545 BC – King Cyrus of Persia becomes the ruler of Cyprus after the islanders voluntarily submit to his control • 480 BC – Cypriots and Persians unite to fight against the Greeks in the Battle of Salamis • 325 BC - Cyprus becomes part of the Greek Hellenic Empire • 333 BC – Alexander the Great along with the kings of Cyprus defeat the Persians • 294 BC- Cyprus becomes an Egyptian province • 58 BC – Roman rule begins on the island • 45 AD – The apostles Paul and Barnabus arrive in Cyprus, introducing Christianity • 395-647 – Early Byzantine period on Cyprus • 647 – Arab raids in Cyprus begin • 965 – Byzantine rule resumd • 1191 – Richard the Lionheart captures Cyprus and becomes ruler of the island • 1192 – Cyprus is sold to the knights Templar, who sell the island to the French Crusader Guy de Lusignan • 1192 – 1489 Lusignan (Frankish) rule over Cyprus • 1489 – The Venetians capture Cyprus • 1571 – The Ottoman Empire takes control of the island • 1878 – Turkey rents the island to the British but retains control until they join the side the Germany in WW1 • 1925 – The Treaty of Lausanne renounces Turkey’s control of the island and it becomes a British Crown Colony • 1960 – Cyprus is granted independence. British, Greek and Turkish troops remain on the island as guarantors • 1974 Turkish troops arrive on the island and partition Cyprus into north and south sections following the rise of EOKA Modern History of CyprusModern Cyprus history is dominated by the civil conflict between Greek and Turkish Cypriots which reached their peak when troops from mainland Turkey invaded the island in 1974.The island was consequently separated into two sections, with Greek Cypriots moving to the South (known as the Republic of Cyprus) and Turkish Cypriots in the North (named as the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus or TRNC, the area is only recognised internationally by Turkey).
Modern Cyprus History (the Cyprus conflict)
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