History of Cyprus

Cyprus is a young country with a rich history covering a vast period of almost 90 centuries. Due to its strategic location on the crossroads of civilization, the history of Cyprus is about turbulent past of attacks and conquers. It has gained independence in the recent times after paying a huge price.

There is not sufficient evidence to prove first human habitation in Cyprus. Although some evidence of communities existing before 6000 BC is present, yet they do not leave very significant traces of their presence. The earliest existence of man on Cyprus can be dated back to 8500 BC, which is known from a tool kit found in a cave in the Akrotiri Peninsula. The first settlers came to Cyprus during the Neolithic or Stone Age, i.e., 7000-3900 BC possibly on rafts from Asia Minor and settled at Khirokitia, Kastros and Tentra. Khirokitia was the largest of all the settlements of that time where the remains of ‘beehive’ stone houses can be seen even today. During 2500-1050 BC, the period of Bronze Age, large-scale migration from Anatolia and Mycenae to Cyprus took place.

From 2300-1900 BC, settlements in Nicosia (Ayia Paraskevi), Sotira and Morphou in Cyprus had begun to flourish. The period between 1900-1625 BC, saw the construction of fortresses as measure of protection against the attacks from Hyksos. During this time, Kalopsida developed as an important trading centre and settlers from neighboring countries started to arrive. The period from 1625-1050 BC was the age of cultural advancement in Cyprus. The Cypro-Minoan script developed during this period. Greek Mycenaean’s arrived in Cyprus between 1400-1300 BC. The relations with the Greek world were strengthened during 1300-1230 BC as far as the customs, language and religion were concerned.

The period from 1230-1190 BC saw the arrival of the Achaeans and setting up of the new cities. These cities later developed into city-states and independent kingdoms, namely, Amathus, Curium and Kition. From 1190-1150 BC, Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians constantly raided the land. The second wave of the Achaeans entered Cyprus between 115 and 950 BC. It was the time when several earthquakes destroyed cities in Cyprus. The first 100 years after this, witnessed the re-building of the old cities and establishment of the new ones. From 1050-750 BC, Phoenicians settled and controlled Kition, which later became their stronghold. Salamis, Paphos, Curium, and Amathus also thrived during this period.

Assyrians ruled Cyprus from 709-669 BC. Following this, Cyprus achieved a rare period of independence, which lasted for almost a century. In 565 BC, the Egyptians conquered it. The Cypriot Kingdoms remained independent but had to pay tax to Egypt. Egyptian rule was replaced by Persians in 546 BC, which lasted until 332 BC. Evagoras I, King of Salamis, ruled from 411-374 BC and fought war with the Persians. Cyprus, once again, came under the dominion of Egypt with Alexandria as its capital and a governor-general as the head. The Cypriot Kingdoms were abolished in 312 BC.

Rome annexed Cyprus in 58 BC, initially as a province of Syria and then as separate province under a proconsul. Christianity spread across Cyprus during the Roman Period. The Apostles Paul, Barnabas and Mark landed in Cyprus in the year 45 AD and the first dioceses were established on the island.

The Roman period ended with the division of the Roman Empire and Cyprus become part of the East Roman or the Byzantine Empire. In 330 AD, Constantine, the Great founded a new capital for the empire on the site of ancient Byzantium. This was the period of prosperity for the island.

Richard I (the Lion Heart), King of England was forced by bad weather to land at Limassol while crusading in 1191 AD and conquered the island. Since he needed money to finance crusades, the Cyprus was sold to the Knights Templars in 1192 AD. short of cash themselves and finding Cyprus a troublesome investment, the Knights Templars sold the island at a loss back to Richard. He, in turn, again sold it to a Frankish crusading knight, Guy de Lusignan. The Lusignan ushered in a Norman feudal model in Cyprus thus reducing  the Cypriots to the status of serfs. The Latin church was introduced and the Orthodox church was persecuted. The island prospered through trade and Famagusta became one of the richest cities of the East. After the death of Peter I in 1369 AD, the Lusignan influence slowly weakened.

There were frequent raids on the island following this and the Genoese and Mamelukes caused widespread devastation. When the Genoese seized Famagusta, they summoned Venetians for help. The Venetians routed the Genoese and captured Cyprus for themselves. In 1489 AD, Catherine Kornaro, the last Queen of Cyprus, conceded Cyprus to the Venetians thus bringing to an end the Medieval period. The Venetian Period is known for its persecution of the Greek Orthodox Church. Massive fortresses were constructed against the threat of the Ottoman invasion. The Turks stormed Nicosia in 1570 AD and Famagusta in 1572 AD bringing to an end the Venetian period.

The period from 1570-1878 was the period of the Turkish Rule as Cyprus became the part of the Ottoman Empire. The Latin Church was banned and the Orthodox Church once again prevailed. The island fell into economic decline during this time. In 1878, under the terms of an alliance, the Sultan ceded Cyprus to the British for the purpose of defense and administration, though it remained the property of the Sultan. In 1914, when Turkey entered the war on the side of Germany, Cyprus was formally annexed by the Great Britain. According to the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, Turkey renounced all claims to the island. Under the British regime, once again the island started to prosper.

In 1950 and again in 1955, the Cypriots asked the UN to recognize their demand for independence. In 1955, Colonel George Grivas launched an armed struggle for independence against the British. The island was in a situation similar to a civil war a few years later during independence. Two more appeals were made to the UN in 1957. A fifth appeal was made in September 1958. The British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, put forward plans for the partition of Cyprus. These led to Greco-Turkish talks, which finally led to the Zurich Agreement, signed in London in February 1959. Under the Zurich Agreement Cyprus was to become an independent state with Britain, Greece and Turkey acting as guarantors.

In 1960, Cyprus was became the independent Republic of Cyprus with Archbishop Makarios as the first President of Cyprus. In August 1964, Turkey launched air strikes against Cyprus. In the same year, UN troops were dispatched to the island in an attempt to keep the peace between the two communities. They have been there ever since then. Makarios' relationship with the fascist regime in Greece gradually deteriorated. The demand for union with Greece had not gone away. A group of Cypriots, with the backing of the military junta in Greece, launched a coup against Makarios and appointed Nicos Sampson as the President.

On 20 July 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus and continues to illegally occupy 37% of the country even today. In 1983, the North was unilaterally declared as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is not recognized by any country in the world except Turkey. Cyprus is now divided by a green line. However, Cyprus has flourished under the influence of tourism except the North, which has steadily declined under Turkish occupation.

By: Shuchita Bist

GOWEALTHY.COM © 2006

For comments: editor@gowealthy.com

Source: home.clara.net