Cyprus, an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean, boasts one of the world’s oldest recorded histories, dating back over 10,000 years. Positioned strategically at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Cyprus has been a coveted prize for various empires and civilizations. From its earliest Neolithic settlements, the island developed into a significant cultural and economic hub during the Bronze Age. It experienced successive periods of control by the Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. Each of these eras left an indelible mark on the island’s cultural and historical landscape, culminating in a modern period marked by British colonial rule, a struggle for independence, and ongoing geopolitical tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Chronological history of Cyprus
Prehistoric and Ancient Periods
- c. 7000 BCE: First human settlement in Cyprus.
- 7000 – 2500 BCE: Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, marked by the development of stone tools and early agricultural practices.
- 2500 – 1600 BCE: Early Bronze Age, characterized by the establishment of trade networks.
- 1600 – 1050 BCE: Late Bronze Age, Cyprus becomes a significant trade centre, interacting with Mycenaean Greece, Egypt, and the Near East.
- 1050 – 850 BCE: Iron Age begins; establishment of several city-kingdoms.
- 709 – 669 BCE: Cyprus pays tribute to the Assyrian Empire.
- 560 – 546 BCE: Tribute to the Egyptian Empire.
- 546 BCE: Persian conquest of Cyprus.
- 450 BCE: Athenian general Cimon dies in Cyprus fighting Persians.
Classical to Hellenistic Periods
- 333 BCE: Alexander the Great conquers Cyprus.
- 323 – 30 BCE: After Alexander’s death, Cyprus is part of the Ptolemaic Empire, under strong Hellenistic influence.
- 58 BCE – 330 CE: Cyprus as a Roman province, with significant economic and cultural development.
Byzantine and Medieval Periods
- 330 – 1191 CE: Byzantine rule, marked by Christianization and frequent Arab raids.
- 1191 CE: Richard the Lionheart of England captures Cyprus during the Third Crusade.
- 1192 – 1489 CE: Frankish (Lusignan) rule after Richard sells the island.
- 1489 – 1571 CE: Venetian control; fortifications built to protect against Ottoman invasion.
- 1571 CE: Cyprus was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
Ottoman and British Periods
- 1571 – 1878 CE: Ottoman rule; significant Turkish settlement on the island.
- 1878 CE: Cyprus ceded to Britain under a secret treaty with the Ottomans.
- 1878 – 1960 CE: British colonial rule, marked by the rise of the Enosis movement (union with Greece) and EOKA’s anti-colonial struggle.
Modern Period
- 1960 CE: Cyprus gains independence, with Archbishop Makarios III as the first president.
- 1963 – 1964 CE: Intercommunal violence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots leads to the first UN peacekeeping mission and the establishment of the Green Line in Nicosia.
- 1974 CE: Greek-led coup d’état followed by Turkish invasion; Cyprus is divided into the Greek-Cypriot south and the Turkish-Cypriot north.
- 1983 CE: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus declared, recognized only by Turkey.
From its ancient beginnings as a trade hub in the Bronze Age, through centuries of domination by major empires, to its complex modern history marked by division and conflict, Cyprus has continually evolved while retaining its unique identity. Today, the island remains divided, but it continues to be a significant player in the Mediterranean region.
