Table of Contents
Introduction
The island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean has a long and eventful history spanning over 10,000 years. Strategically located between three continents, Cyprus has been coveted and conquered by many major powers throughout the ages. This turbulent past has endowed Cyprus with a rich cultural heritage that is remarkable for an island its size. From ancient city kingdoms to medieval castles and churches, Cyprus offers fascinating glimpses into the past at every turn. Join us on a journey through time as we delve into Cyprus’ copious cultural treasures.
Ancient Cyprus
Human habitation in Cyprus can be traced back to the Neolithic period around 8,000 BC, with the arrival of farmers and herders from the nearby Levant. They brought with them crop cultivation and domesticated animals. This Neolithic culture continued to thrive on the island during the subsequent Chalcolithic period from 3,500 BC. Sophisticated tools and artifacts uncovered from this time indicate a flourishing civilization.
The island truly entered the annals of history during the Bronze Age, with the emergence of advanced city kingdoms from around 2,000 BC. The sophisticated bronze working skills of the Cypriots earned them recognition throughout the Mediterranean. External influences from the Aegean, Anatolia and Egypt also left their imprint at this time. Some major city kingdoms that prospered during the late Bronze Age were Enkomi, Kition, Lapithos and Salamis.
The Late Bronze Age collapse around 1,100 BC plunged Cyprus into a dark age that lasted for nearly 300 years. The island recovered by the 8th century BC, as evident from the multitude of city kingdoms that sprang up, including Amathus, Citium, Curium, Lapethos, Marion, Paphos and Soli. Cyprus was now primed to enter the sphere of the Near Eastern powers.
Classical Antiquity
In the 6th century BC, Cyprus fell under the domination of the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrian king Sargon II mentioned defeating seven Cypriot kings in 709 BC. A few centuries later, Cyprus became part of the Persian Empire when it was annexed by Cyrus the Great in 545 BC. Under Persian rule, Cypriot kings were allowed to retain considerable autonomy in governing the island.
Alexander the Great brought an end to Persian rule in Cyprus after besieging and capturing Salamis in 332 BC. Following Alexander’s death, Cyprus was embroiled in the power struggle between his generals before coming under the control of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt around 295 BC. For the next two centuries, Cyprus remained relatively peaceful and prosperous under Ptolemaic rule, during which Greek culture flourished.
Roman Cyprus
Cyprus formally became a part of the Roman Republic in 58 BC when it was annexed by the Romans under the command of Marcus Porcius Cato. The Romans introduced better infrastructure to Cyprus including improved roads, aqueducts, and public baths. They also founded impressive public buildings and constructed magnificent private villas adorned with intricate mosaic floors. Christianity found its first converts in Cyprus during the 1st century AD and gradually spread under Roman rule.
Byzantine Cyprus
After the division of the Roman Empire in the 4th century AD, Cyprus came under the control of the Byzantine Empire based in Constantinople. Although occasionally threatened by raids from Arab invaders, Cyprus remained part of this Christian empire for 800 years. Outstanding examples of Byzantine religious architecture survive from this period, including fresco-decorated churches built in the Troodos Mountains.
Lusignan Dynasty
In 1191, Richard the Lionheart conquered Cyprus while heading to the Third Crusade. He promptly sold the island to the Knights Templar who in turn sold it to Guy of Lusignan, the ousted king of Jerusalem, in 1192. With this began the nearly 300-year long rule of the Lusignan dynasty over Cyprus. The Lusignan kings built impressive castles, cathedrals, and monasteries in a blend of Byzantine, Gothic and Middle Eastern architectural styles.
Venetian Cyprus
By 1489, Cyprus was under the domain of the Republic of Venice. The Venetians left their mark by constructing robust fortifications and walls around major cities like Nicosia and Famagusta to defend against the expanding Ottoman Empire. During this period, the feudal system that had dominated rural Cyprus since the Frankish rule began to decline.
Ottoman Cyprus
In 1571, the Ottomans captured Cyprus after a long siege of Famagusta, ending almost 300 years of rule by Roman Catholic powers. The Ottoman Turks imposed heavy taxes on the Christian population of Cyprus, leading to a significant conversion to Islam over the next three centuries. The Orthodox Church became the representative of the Greek Cypriot population under Ottoman administration.
British Cyprus
Cyprus was leased to Britain in 1878 and formally annexed in 1914 at the start of World War I after over three centuries of Ottoman domination. As a Crown colony, Cyprus saw substantial improvements in transport, infrastructure and education by the British. But this was also a time of growing Greek Cypriot desire for unification (enosis) with Greece and subsequent tensions with the Turkish Cypriot minority.
Independent Cyprus
After an armed campaign led by the Greek Cypriot nationalist group EOKA, Cyprus gained independence from Britain in 1960. But the new republic quickly unraveled amidst sectarian violence between the Greek and Turkish populations. In 1974, a coup aimed at uniting Cyprus with Greece prompted Turkey to invade the northern third of the island, dividing the country along the UN-patrolled Green Line that still splits Cyprus.
Preserving the Past
Despite its divided present, Cyprus takes pride in its eclectic cultural heritage that bears witness to all the powers that have shaped its history. The island has numerous archaeological sites and museums that preserve artifacts ranging over 10,000 years from Neolithic settlements to Bronze Age tombs, Roman villas with intricate mosaics and prehistoric petroglyphs carved on rocks. Intangible heritage including celebrations, rituals, music, dance, theater and crafts complete the mosaic of Cyprus’ rich culture. Conserving this diverse heritage remains vital for providing a tie to the shared history that has made the island what it is today.
Conclusion
Cyprus’ strategic location has given it a unique layered history that has bestowed upon the island a wealth of cultural treasures spanning diverse civilizations and influences. Through the Neolithic era, Bronze Age city kingdoms, conflicts between great empires and finally independence, the marks of Cyprus’ eventful past can be found etched into its very landscape. From ancient sites to medieval castles and Byzantine churches, the island provides a living museum of its variegated history. Safeguarding Cyprus’ cultural heritage is key for understanding the strands of the island’s multicultural identity and turbulent past. The future of Cyprus lies in discovering unity within the mosaic of its past diversity.
FAQs
What are some of the main historical periods of Cyprus?
The main historical periods of Cyprus include the Neolithic Age, Bronze Age kingdoms, rule under Classical powers like the Assyrians, Persians and Ptolemaic Egypt, the Roman and Byzantine eras, Frankish Crusader kingdoms, Venetian and Ottoman control, British colonial rule and finally independence.
What are some notable Bronze Age archaeological sites in Cyprus?
Notable Bronze Age archaeological sites include Enkomi near Famagusta which was an important trading center, Kalavassos-Ayios Dimitrios, and the ancient city kingdoms of Kition and Salamis near modern Famagusta.
What are some leading cultural institutions in Cyprus?
Leading cultural institutions include the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia, the Byzantine Museum and Art Galleries in Nicosia, and the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia. There are also excellent archaeological museums at sites like Kourion and Salamis.
What architectural styles reflect the Crusader period in Cyprus?
The Crusader Lusignan dynasty introduced Gothic architecture to Cyprus which is seen in churches like St. Nicholas Cathedral in Famagusta. They also blended Gothic with Byzantine styles.
How did Cyprus gain independence from British rule?
Cyprus gained independence in 1960 after an armed liberation struggle led by the nationalist group EOKA under the leadership of Georgios Grivas to end British rule and unite with Greece.