9,000 Years of civilization gathered together on one island
It is said, "scratch the soil anywhere in Cyprus and you will find
traces of its magnificent past". This is no exaggeration. Evidence of the
island's 9,000 years of history is scattered throughout the island.
Remains from the Neolithic period bear witness to the existence of an
ancient civilization. According to tradition many of the ancient cities of
Cyprus were founded by the heroes of the Trojan War whom also Hellenised the
island. Assyrians, Phoenicians, Egyptians and Persians all passed through
the island. This strategically important island was part o the Roman Empire
for four centuries. Excavations have brought to light temples and palaces,
amphitheatres and baths. Just as magnificent are the early Christian
basilicas; equally magnificent are the Byzantine churches with their
beautiful mosaics and icons. And then Crusader castles, Venetian
fortifications.
Cyprus is a living book of pictures taken from world history.
7000-3900 BC NEOLITHIC
Remains of the oldest known settlements in Cyprus date from this period.
This civilization developed along the North and South coasts. First, only
stone vessels were used. Pottery appeared on a second phase after 5000 BC
3900-2500 BC CHALCOLITHIC AGE
Transitional period between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. Most
Chalcolithic settlements are found in Western Cyprus, where a fertility cult
developed. Copper is being discovered and exploited on a small scale.
2500-1050 BC BRONZE AGE
Copper is more extensively exploited bringing wealth to Cyprus. Trade
develops with the Near East, Egypt and the Aegean, where Cyprus is known
under the name of Alasia. After 1400 BC Mycenaeans from Greece reach the
island as merchants. During the l2th and 11th centuries. mass waves of
Achaean Greeks come to settle on the island spreading the Greek language,
religion and customs. They gradually take control over Cyprus and establish
the first city-kingdoms of Paphos, Salamis, Kition and Kourion. The
Hellenisation of the island is now in progress.
1050-750 BC GEOMETRIC PERIOD
Cyprus is now a Greek island with ten city.Remains of the oldest known
settlements in Cyprus date from this period. This civilization developed
along the North and South coasts. First, only stone vessels were used.
Pottery appeared on a second phase after 5000 BC
750-325 BC ARCHAIC AND CLASSICAL PERIOD
The era of prosperity continues, but the island falls prey to several
conquerors. Cypriot Kingdoms become successively tributary to Assyria, Egypt
and Persia. King Evagoras of Salamis (who ruled from 411-374 BC) unifies
Cyprus and makes the island one of the leading political and cultural
centers of the Greek world. 333-325 BC The city-kingdoms of Cyprus welcome
Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, and Cyprus becomes part of his
empire.
325-58 BC HELLENISTIC PERIOD
After the rivalries for succession between Alexander's generals, Cyprus
eventually comes under the Hellenistic state of the Ptolemies of Egypt, and
belongs from now onwards to the Greek Alexandrine world. The Ptolemies
abolish the city-kingdoms and unify Cyprus. Paphos becomes the capital.
58 BC - 330 AD ROMAN PERIOD
Cyprus comes under the dominion of the Roman Empire. During the missionary
journey of Saints Paul and Barnabas, the Proconsul Sergius Paulus is
converted to Christianity and Cyprus becomes the first country to be
governed by a Christian. Destructive earthquakes occur during the 1st
century BC and the 1st century AD and cities are rebuilt. In 313 the Edict
of Milan grants freedom of worship to Christians and Cypriot bishops attend
the Council of Nicaea in 325.
330 -1191 AD BYZANTINE PERIOD
After the division of the Roman Empire Cyprus comes under the Eastern Roman
Empire, known as Byzantium, with Constantinople as its capital. Christianity
becomes the official religion. Empress Helena visits Cyprus and founds the
Stavrovouni Monastery. New earthquakes during the 4th century AD completely
destroy the main cities. New cities arise; Constantia is now capital, and
large basilicas are built from the 4th to 5th century AD. In 488, after the
tomb of St. Barnabas is found, Emperor Zenon grants the Church of Cyprus
full autonomy and gives the Archbishop the privileges of holding a scepter
instead of a pastoral staff, wearing a purple mantle and signing in red ink.
In 647 Arabs invade the island under Muawiya. For three centuries Cyprus is
constantly under attack by Arabs and pirates until 965, when Emperor
Nikiforos Fokas expels Arabs from Asia Minor and Cyprus Kingdoms. The cult
of the Goddess Aphrodite flourishes at her birthplace Cyprus. Phoenicians
settle at Kition. The 8th century BC is a period of great prosperity.
1191-1192 RICHARD THE LIONHEART AND THE TEMPLARS
Isaac Komnenus self proclaimed 'Emperor' of Cyprus behaves discourteously to
survivors of a shipwreck involving ships of Richard's fleet on their way to
the Third Crusade. Richard in revenge defeats Isaac, and takes possession of
Cyprus marrying Berengaria of Navarre in Limassol where she is crowned Queen
of England. A year later he sells the island for 100,000 dinars to the
Knights Templars who resell it at the same price to Guy de Lusignan, deposed
King of Jerusalem.
1192-1489 FRANKISH (LUSIGNAN) PERIOD
Cyprus is ruled on the feudal system and the Catholic Church officially
replaces the Greek Orthodox. Which though under severe suppression manages
to survive. The city of Ammochostos is now one of the richest in the Near
East. It is during this period that the historical names of Lefkosia,
Ammochostos and Lemesos are being referred to as Nicosia, Famagusta and
Limassol respectively. The era of the Lusignan dynasty ends when the last
queen Caterina Cornaro cedes Cyprus to Venice in 1489.
1489-1571 VENETIAN PERIOD
Venetians view Cyprus as a last bastion against the Ottomans in the east
Mediterranean and fortify the island, tearing down lovely buildings in
Nicosia to reduce the boundaries of the city within fortified walls. They
also build impressive walls around Famagusta, which were considered at the
time as works of military architecture.
1571-1878 OTTOMAN PERIOD
In 1570 Ottoman troops attack Cyprus, capture Nicosia, slaughter 20,000 of
the population and lay siege to Famagusta for a year. After a brave defense
by Venetian commander Marc Antonio Bragadin, Famagusta falls to the Ottoman
commander Lala Mustafa who at first allows the besieged a peaceful exodus
but later orders the flaying of Bragadin and puts all others to death. On
annexation to the Ottoman Empire the Latin leadership is expelled or
converted to Islam and the Greek Orthodox Church restored; in time, the
Archbishop, as leader of the Greek Orthodox becomes the people's
representative to the Sultan. When the Greek War of Independence breaks out
in 1821, the Archbishop of Cyprus, Kyprianos, three bishops and prominent
Cypriots are executed. The Muslim minority during the Ottoman period
eventually acquires a Cypriot identity.
1878-1960 BRITISH PERIOD
Under the 1878 Cyprus Convention, Britain assumes administration of the
island. It remains formally part of the Ottoman Empire until the latter
enters the First World War on the side of Germany, and Britain in
consequence annexes Cyprus in 1914. In 1923 under the Treaty of Lausanne,
Turkey relinquishes all rights to Cyprus. In 1925 Cyprus is declared a Crown
colony. In 1940 Cypriot volunteers serve in the British Armed Forces
throughout the Second World War. Hopes for self-determination being granted
to other countries in the post-war period are shattered by the British who
consider the island vitally strategic. After all means of peaceful settling
of the problem are exhausted. a national liberation struggle is launched in
1955 against colonial rule and for union of Cyprus with Greece, which lasts
until 1959.
1960 REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
According to the Zurich-London Treaty. Cyprus becomes an independent
republic on l6th August 1960. It is a member of the United Nations the
Council of Europe the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement. According
to the above treaty. Britain retains two Sovereign Bases (158.5 sq. km) on
the island at Dhekelia and Akrotiri- Episkopi. The 1960 Constitution of the
Cyprus Republic proves unworkable in many of its provisions and this makes
its smooth implementation impossible. In 1963 the President of the Republic
proposes some amendments to facilitate the functioning of the state and the
Turkish Cypriot community responds with rebellion. The Turkish Cypriot
ministers withdraw from the Cabinet and Turkish Cypriot civil servants cease
attending their offices while Turkey threatens to invade Cyprus. Since then
the aim of the Turkish Cypriot leadership acting on instructions from the
Turkish Government has been the partitioning of Cyprus and its annexation to
Turkey. Using as a pretext the coup of July 1974 instigated against the
Cyprus Government by the military Junta, then in power in Athens,
Turkey invades Cyprus on July 20, 1974 violating all principles
governing international relations and the UN Charter. As a result
approximately 37% of the island is occupied, 40% of the Greek Cypriot
population violently uprooted and thousands of people, including civilians,
killed, ill-treated or disappear without trace. The continuation of Turkish
military occupation and the violation of the fundamental human rights of the
people of Cyprus have been condemned by international bodies, but until
today Turkey refuses to withdraw from Cyprus and maintains the island's
division by the force of arms. Turkey has established the Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus, an illegal state, recognized only by Turkey and
continues to maintain the division of the island through force. Following
the signing of the EU Enlargement Treaty in Athens on April 16, 2003 and its
subsequent ratification by the Cypriot House of Representatives, Cyprus has
officialy joined the EU on May 01 , 2004."
