History of Cyprus

Cyprus is one of the oldest inhabited islands in the world. The Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia (UNESCO World Heritage Site) south of Larnaka dates back to around 7000 BC — one of the oldest settlements in the entire Mediterranean region.

The name "Cyprus" probably derives from the Greek word for copper (kypros). In the Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC), the island was one of the most important copper producers in the ancient world — the metal was exported as far as Egypt and Mesopotamia. The wealth of the copper mines made Cyprus a coveted trading center.

In the 1st millennium BC, Cyprus had ten independent city-kingdoms (Salamis, Paphos, Kourion, Amathous, among others), which submitted to various great powers: the Assyrians, the Egyptians, and finally the Persians.

With Alexander the Great (333 BC), Cyprus became part of the Hellenistic world. Ptolemaic Egypt ruled the island before it was annexed by the Romans in 58 BC. Under Rome, Cyprus flourished: Paphos became the capital of the province, magnificent mosaics and theaters were created. The Apostle Paul visited the island in 45 AD and converted the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus — Cyprus is thus considered the first Christian-governed country in the world.

Aphrodite — Cyprus's Divine Heritage

Cyprus is inextricably linked with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. The ancient Greeks believed she rose from the sea foam at Petra tou Romiou. In Old Paphos (Kouklia), one of the most famous sanctuaries of the ancient world stood — the Temple of Aphrodite, to which pilgrims from across the Mediterranean flocked. The ruins are modest today, but the mythical power of the place is palpable.

After the division of the Roman Empire (395 AD), Cyprus belonged to the Byzantine Empire — for almost 800 years. The magnificent mosaics in Panagia Kanakaria and the steep-roofed churches in Troodos date from this era.

The Crusader Era (1191–1489)

In 1191, the English King Richard the Lionheart conquered Cyprus on his way to the Holy Land. He married his bride Berengaria of Navarre here (in the castle of Limassol), but quickly sold the island to the Knights Templar, who in turn sold it to the deposed King of Jerusalem, Guy de Lusignan.

The Lusignans ruled Cyprus for almost 300 years (1192–1489) and transformed the island into a Frankish kingdom with Gothic cathedrals (Nicosia, Famagusta), castles (St. Hilarion, Kantara, Buffavento), and the Bellapais Abbey. This era shaped the face of Northern Cyprus.

Venetian Rule (1489–1571)

The last Lusignan queen, Caterina Cornaro, ceded Cyprus to the Republic of Venice in 1489. The Venetians built the massive city walls of Nicosia (the star-shaped fortifications still stand today) and Famagusta. Despite these fortifications, the island fell to the Ottomans in 1570/71 after a bloody siege of Famagusta.

Ottoman Rule (1571–1878)

The Ottomans ruled Cyprus for over 300 years. They converted churches into mosques (Selimiye in Nicosia, Lala Mustafa Pasha in Famagusta), brought Turkish settlers to the island, and built caravanserais (Büyük Han) and hammams. The Greek Orthodox Church was granted a certain autonomy — the Archbishop became the Ethnarch (people's leader) of the Greek Cypriots.

British Colonial Rule (1878–1960)

The Ottoman Empire ceded Cyprus to Great Britain in 1878 (formally annexed in 1914). The British left deep marks: left-hand traffic (to this day!), the legal system, the administrative language English, and the type-G sockets. The British military bases Akrotiri and Dhekelia still exist as sovereign British territory — right in the middle of the island.

Independence & the Cyprus Issue (1960–1974)

On August 16, 1960, Cyprus became independent. First President: Archbishop Makarios III. However, the young republic was unstable from the start. The Greek-Cypriot majority (80%) sought Enosis (union with Greece), while the Turkish-Cypriot minority (18%) feared for their rights.

In 1963, intercommunal unrest broke out. Turkish-Cypriot enclaves were besieged, UN peacekeeping forces were dispatched. The Green Line in Nicosia emerged. A decade of tensions followed.

The Division of 1974

On July 15, 1974, the Greek military junta staged a coup against Makarios to enforce Enosis. Five days later, on July 20, 1974, the Turkish army invaded — officially to protect the Turkish-Cypriot minority. In two phases, Turkish troops occupied 37% of the island.

The consequences were catastrophic: 200,000 Greek Cypriots from the north and 50,000 Turkish Cypriots from the south were displaced. Varosha in Famagusta became a ghost town. Nicosia Airport became a UN buffer zone. Families were separated, cultural heritage was destroyed or looted.

Since 1983, the north has called itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) — recognized internationally only by Turkey. The Annan Plan for reunification failed in a 2004 referendum (the Greek Cypriots voted against it, the Turkish for it). The division persists to this day.

Cyprus Today

The Republic of Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 (formally for the entire island, de facto only the south). Since 2008, the Euro has been used. Since 2003, the border crossings have been open — Cypriots and tourists can move freely back and forth. Reunification talks are stalled, but everyday life at the Green Line has become surprisingly normal. Some Cypriots from both sides work, shop, or dine on the other side.