Brief History of Cyprus

The history of Cyprus goes back 11000 years to the 9th millennium B.C. – early Neolithic Period or Stone Age.

Due its’ strategically location, the island has had many conquerors.

The rich history of the island is based on archaeological evidence.

So let’s start…


Brief History of Cyprus: Mycenaean-Achaean Greeks

They settled on the island between the 13th and 11th century BC and therefore the island acquires its Greek character (heritage).


Brief History of Cyprus: Phoenicians – mid 9th Century BC

Phoenicians started arriving on the island settling in the city of Kition, today Kiti (coastal town).


Brief History of Cyprus: Foreign Conquerors (8th – 4th century BC)

First it was the Assyrians, then the Egyptians and then the Persians.


Brief History of Cyprus: King Evagoras

King Evagoras of Salamis ruled from 411 to 374 BC. He unified the island and it becomes part of the Greek world, one of the leading political and cultural centres.


Brief History of Cyprus: Alexander the Great

The King of Macedonia was welcomed by the city kingdoms of Cyprus and the island becomes part of his empire.


Brief History of Cyprus: The Hellenistic State of Ptolemies of Egypt

The island came under the Ptolemies after rivalries of succession between Alexander’s the Great generals.


Brief History of Cyprus: Greek Alexandrine World

The island becomes part of the Greek Alexandrine World from 310 to 30 BC.


Brief History of Cyprus: Paphos (Pafos in Greek) Becomes The Capital of the Island

The city kingdoms of the island are abolished by Ptolemies, unify the island and Paphos becomes the capital city of Cyprus.


Brief History of Cyprus: Roman Empire

From 30 BC to 330 AD Cyprus becomes part of the Roman empire. However, the island keeps its ethnic heritage. Cyprus retains its Greek identity and Christianity arrives on the island.


Brief History of Cyprus: The Greek Identity

The Greek culture and language prevail throughout the centuries.


Brief History of Cyprus: King Richard I, the Lionheart of England and the Knights Templar

King Richard I and the Knights Templar become rulers of the island from 1191 to 1192.


Brief History of Cyprus: Lusignans (Franks)

From 1192 to 1489, the island is ruled by the Franks.


Brief History of Cyprus: Venetians

From 1489 to 1571, Cyprus is ruled by the Venetians.


Brief History of Cyprus: Ottoman Turks

From 1571 to 1878 the island is ruled by the Ottoman Turks.


Brief History of Cyprus: The 1878 Cyprus Convention, part of the Treaty of Berlin (1878)

Under the 1878 Cyprus Convention, the administration of the island is handed by the Ottoman Turks to the British.


Brief History of Cyprus: The Treaty of Lausanne (1923)

In 1923, Turkey relinquished all rights to Cyprus.


Brief History of Cyprus: British

In 1925 the island is declared a Crown colony.

The island is ruled by the British until 1960.


Brief History of Cyprus: The Greek Cypriots

The Greek Cypriots want freedom from the British and union with Greece.


Brief History of Cyprus: EOKA – Greek Organization of Cypriot Fighters

Since all peaceful talks ended with no result, EOKA is formed (in 1955) to liberate Cyprus from the British and unite the island with Greece. 

EOKA’s fight against the British ends in 1959 with the Zurich-London agreements signed by Turkey, Greece, Britain and representatives of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

That leads to the independence of the island.


Brief History of Cyprus: Independence of the Island

On the 16th of August 1960 the island becomes the Republic of Cyprus and the Independence Day is celebrated every 1st of October.


Brief History of Cyprus: 1963

In 1963, the first president of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III, proposes amendments to the constitution in order to improve the functionality of the state.

The leadership of the Turkish Cypriot Community and Turkey reject the proposed amendments.


Brief History of Cyprus: Standoff

As a result of the standoff, the Turkish Cypriot ministers withdrew from the Council of Ministers and Turkish Cypriot civil servants ceased going to their offices.


Brief History of Cyprus: Intercommunal Clashes and Threats

Intercommunal clashes are raised because of the deadlock.

Turkey threatens to invade Cyprus.


Brief History of Cyprus: UN Security Council

The government of the island appeals to the UN Security Council. The Council confirms the legality and the sovereignty of Cyprus and its government.

The Council sent UNFICYP to help and restore the law and order. Also, the peace keeping force (UNFICYP) takes steps for a peaceful settlement.


Brief History of Cyprus: 1968

The government, under the UN, initiates intercommunal talks for a negotiated agreement with the Turkish Cypriot leadership.


Brief History of Cyprus: 1974

Intercommunal talks continue, and by 1974 a progress is achieved. However, that summer of 1974 developments interrupt the process of intercommunal talks and that has devastating results.


Brief History of Cyprus: 15th July 1974 – Coup

Junta in Greece staged a coup to overthrow the government of the island.


Brief History of Cyprus: 20th July 1974 – Turkey Invades the Island

Turkey invades Cyprus with the excuse of restoring the constitutional order.

It seizes about 36% of the island territory in the north.

The Greek Cypriots (more than 160000) living in the north are forced to abandon their homes and move to the south and the Turkish Cypriots living in the south move to the north.

The act of Turkey (invasion of Cyprus) is universally condemned as a gross infringement of International law and the UN Charter until today.


Today

The island remains divided. Greek Cypriots are still prevented by the Turkish military from returning to their homes and properties in North Cyprus.


And that’s the end of the brief history of Cyprus…

…now let’s go back to the step-by-step travel guide to plan your trip and itinerary :-).