History |
Cyprus - Tucked away in the top right hand corner of the Mediterranean, is so close to Europe, Asia and Africa that it rightly claims to be a stepping stone to three continents.An island whose rich, dramatic history can traced back over nine thousand years, an island so coveted over the centuries, that it has been invaded and claimed by a fascinating mixture of civilizations from near and far, all of which have left their culture and shaped its character
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An island whose archaeology stems from the Neolithic Age, the Ancient Greeks and the Roman period, where churches and monasteries still stand from Byzantine times, castles and palaces from the days of Crusaders and Frankish Lusignans and splendid city walls from Venetian days.
An island chosen by the mythical gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece, who indulged themselves here in sport, pleasure and tragedy, where Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty emerged from the Paphos foam to become a famous cult figure - center of attraction for the first visitors who flocked to the island to worship her.
With such an exotic historic and legendary background it is hardly surprising that Cyprus has developed a character which is quite unique. It is blessed with beauty - natural beauty that ranges from golden beaches and rugged coastlines, to rolling hills and forest clad mountains, dotted with picturesque villages.
The Country:
The third largest island in Mediterranean, Cyprus stretches 150 miles (240 km) from the west coast to its easternmost trip and 60 miles (96 km) from north to south.
Two imposing mountain ranges act as a dramatic back cloth to the sweeping central
Mesaoria plain.
There are six major towns, Nicosia -the capital- situated inland in the middle of the
Mesaoria plain, and the 5 coastal towns of Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Kyrenia and
Famagusta. The later two, in the North and East respectively, have been under
Turkish occupation since 1974 and are inaccessible to visitors.
Cyprus landscape is one of infinite contrasts, from its fertile central plain to the cool,
vine-clad foothills, the majesty of the cedar valley in which wild indigenous secluded
beaches to seek out and hundreds of villages to explore, each with its own tradition
and charm.
Our tiny island has a turbulent history, here is a brief outline of the main events:
5800-3000 BC
Neolithic Age. Remains of the oldest know settlement in Cyprus dating from this
period can be seen at Khirokitia between Nicosia and Limassol.
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3000-1000 BC
Copper discovered, flourishing export trade built up with the Near East and the
Aegean. Wealth and culture of Cyprus attracted trade from the Achaeans who
finally settled in Cyprus and Hellenised the island.
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500-350 BC
Succession of invasions by Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Cyprus liberated from the
latter King Evagoras, although he had to yield to them later.
333 BC
Alexander the Great destroyed the might of Persia and took Cyprus under his mantle.
323 BC
Alexander the Great died, Cyprus ruled by Vineroys of Ptolemy I of Egypt and his
successors. Capital transferred from Salamis to Paphos.
58 BC
Roman invasion, Cyprus administered by Cicero but later given by Julius Caesar to
Ptolemy and Arsinoe of Egypt and then by Anthony to Cleopatra.
22 BC
Government effected by a Proconsul who was directly responsible to Rome.
45 AD
Apostles Paul and Barnabas arrived in Cyprus to spread the Christian doctrine and
succeeded in converting the Proconsul, Sergius Paulus, to Christianity at Paphos.
Cyprus then became the first country to be governed by a Christian.
116 AD
A general revolt by the Jews against Roman power and the spread of Christianity
included Cyprus where thousands of Cypriots and Jews were killed. As a result
further settlement of Jews in Cyprus was forbidden.
395 AD
After the partition of the Roman Empire between the two sons of Emperor Theodosius
Cyprus came under the Byzantine Empire with its capital in Constantinople. Many
churches, decorated with beautiful mosaics and frescoes, were built under Byzanine
rule.
7-10 CENTURIES AD
Chiefly notable for continuous Arab raids on the island during which great
destruction was caused especially to churches and ecclesiastic art. Castles of
Kyrenia and Saranta kolonees at Paphos built.
1191 AD
Cyprus was conquered by Richard the Lionheart of England on his way to the Holy
Land. In 1192 he sold Cyprus to the Lusignans from France, who established a
feudal kingdom.
1489 AD
Princess Caterina Cornaro - the last Lusignan Queen, was forced to pass on her
monarchical rights to the Republic of Venice. The Venetian constructed impressive
defensive walls around the towns of Nicosia and Famagusta and renovated the castles
of Kyrenia, Limassol and Paphos. However, Turkish forces were still able to capture
the island when they besieged and conquered Nicosia and Famagusta.
1571 - 1878
Turkish rule begins and continues till 1878 when Turkey ceded Cyprus to Britain
in exchange of Military aid.
1878 - 1960
Cyprus under British rule.
1960
Cyprus gains independence, with Turkey, Greece and Britain as Guarantor Powers
of her independence. Archbishop Makarios III becomes the first president of Cyprus.
1963
It had become obvious that the Constitution of 1960 was unworkable. However, when
amendments were proposed the Turkish Cypriot community rebelled. Turkish
ministers withdrew from the Government and Turkish public servants abstained from
work.
JULY - AUGUST 1974
A military coup was staged by the Greek Junta and President Makarios was
overthrown. Turkey, as "guarantor power" of Cyprus independence used this as
a pretext to launch an invasion of Cyprus. Turkey finally occupied 38% of the island's
territory. About 6.000 people were killed and 200.000 people - 40% of the total Greek
population- were expelled from their homes. 1619 persons still missing.
The international community condemned the invasion and occupation by Turkey and
called for the withdrawal of all foreign troops and settlers.
1977 August 3rd
His Beatitude, Archbishop Makarios III died after a hard attack.
The leader of the House of Representatives Mr. Spyros Kyprianou, assumed the duty
of President of Cyprus. He was later confirmed in his office in an unopposed
presidential election and re-elected for a further term of five years in 1983.
1992
Cyprus is full member of the United Nations, of the council of Europe and of the
Commonwealth. In spite of repeated UN resolutions calling for the withdrawl of
foreign troops, the Turkish army remains entrenched in the northern part of the
island.
2004
Cyprus is full member of E.U.
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