7000-3900 BC
NEOLITHIC AGE
Remains of the oldest known settlements in Cyprus date from this period. This
civilisation developed along the North and South coasts. First, only stone vessels were
used. Pottery appeared on a second phase after 5000 BC 3900-2500 BC
CHALCOLITHIC AGE
Transitional period between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. Most Chalcolithic
settlements are found in Western Cyprus, where a fertility cult developed. Copper is being
discovered and exploited on a small scale.
2500-1050
BC BRONZE AGE
Copper is more extensively exploited bringing wealth to Cyprus. Trade develops with
the Near East, Egypt and the Aegean, where Cyprus is known under the name of Alasia. After
1400 BC Mycenaeans from Greece reach the island as merchants. During the l2th and 11th
centuries. mass waves of Achaean Greeks come to settle on the island spreading the Greek
language, religion and customs. They gradually take control over Cyprus and establish the
first city-kingdoms of Pafos, Salamis, Kition and Kourion. The Hellenisation of the island
is now in progress.
1050-750 BC
GEOMETRIC PERIOD
Cyprus is now a Greek island with ten city- 7000-3900 BC NEOLITHIC AGE Remains
of the oldest known settlements in Cyprus date from this period. This civilisation
developed along the North and South coasts. First, only stone vessels were used. Pottery
appeared on a second phase after 5000 BC
750-325 BC
ARCHAIC AND CLASSICAL PERIOD
The era of prosperity continues, but the island falls prey to several conquerors.
Cypriot Kingdoms become successively tributary to Assyria, Egypt and Persia. King Evagoras
of Salamis (who ruled from 411-374 BC) unifies Cyprus and makes the island one of the
leading political and cultural centres of the Greek world.
333-325 BC
The city-kingdoms of Cyprus welcome Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, and
Cyprus becomes part of his empire.
325-58 BC
HELLENISTIC PERIOD
After the rivalries for succession between Alexander's generals, Cyprus eventually
comes under the Hellenistic state of the Ptolemies of Egypt, and belongs from now onwards
to the Greek Alexandrine world. The Ptolemies abolish the city-kingdoms and unify Cyprus.
Pafos becomes the capital.
58 BC - 330 AD
ROMAN PERIOD
Cyprus comes under the dominion of the Roman Empire. During the missionary journey
of Saints Paul and Barnabas, the Proconsul Sergius Paulus is converted to
Christianity and Cyprus becomes the first country to be governed by a Christian.
Destructive earthquakes occur during the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD and cities
are rebuilt. In 313 the Edict of Milan grants freedom of worship to Christians and Cypriot
bishops attend the Council of Nicaea in 325.
330-1191 AD
BYZANTINE PERIOD
After the division of the Roman Empire Cyprus comes under the Eastern Roman Empire,
known as Byzantium, with Constantinople as its capital. Christianity becomes the official
religion. Empress Helena visits Cyprus and founds the Stavrovouni Monastery. New
earthquakes during the 4th century AD completely destroy the main cities. New cities
arise, Constantia is now capital, and large basilicas are built from the 4th to 5th
century AD. (n 488, after the tomb of St. Barnabas is found, Emperor Zeno grants the
Church of Cyprus full autonomy and gives the Archbishop the privileges of holding a
sceptre instead of a pastoral staff, wearing a purple mantle and signing in red ink. In
647 Arabs invade the island under Muawiya. For three centuries Cyprus is constantly under
attack by Arabs and pirates until 965, when Emperor Nicephoros Phocas expels Arabs from
Asia Minor and Cyprus. kingdoms. The cult of the Goddess Aphrodite flourishes at her
birthplace Cyprus. Phoenicians settle at Kition. The 8th century BC is a period of great
prosperity.
1191-1192
RICHARD THE LIONHEART AND THE TEMPLARS
Isaac Comnenus. self proclaimed 'Emperor' of Cyprus. behaves discourteously to
survivors of a shipwreck involving ships of Richard's fleet on their way to the Third
Crusade. Richard in revenge defeats Isaac, and takes possession of Cyprus marrying
Berengaria of Navarre in Leamesos where she is crowned Queen of England. A year later he
sells the island for 100,000 dinars to the Knights Templars who resell it at the same
price to Guy de Lusignan, deposed King of Jerusalern.
1192-1489
FRANKISH (LUSIGNAN) PERIOD
Cyprus is ruled on the feudal system and the Catholic Church officially replaces
the Greek Orthodox. which though under severe suppression manages to survive. The city of
Ammochostos is now one of the richest in the Near East. It is during this period that the
historical names of Lefkosia, Ammochostos and Lemesos are being referred to as Nicosia,
Fa&127;nangusta and Limassol respectively. The era of the Lusignan dynasty ends when
the last queen Catherina Cornaro cedes Cyprus to Venice in 1489.
1489-1571
VENETIAN PERIOD
Venetians view Cyprus as a last bastion against the Ottomans in the east
Mediterranean and fortify the island, tearing down lovely buildings in Lefkosia to reduce
the boundaries of the city within fortified walls. They also build irnpressive walls
around Ammochostos which were considered at the time as works of military architecture.
.1571-1878
OTTOMAN PERIOD In 1570
Ottoman troops attack Cyprus, capture Lefkosia, slaughter 20.000 of the population
and lay siege to Ammochostos for a year. After a brave defense by Venetian commander Marc
Antonio Bragadin, Ammochostos falls to the Ottoman commander Lala Mustafa. who at first
allows the besieged a peaceful exodus. but later orders the flaying of Bragadin and puts
all others to death. On annexation to the Ottoman Empire. the Latin leadership is expelled
or converted to Islam and the Greek Orthodox Church restored; in time, the Archbishop, as
leader of the Greek Orthodox. becomes the people's representative to the Sultan. When the
Greek War of Independence breaks out in 1821. the Archbishop of Cyprus. Kyprianos. three
bishops and prominent Cypriots are executed. The Muslim minority during the Ottoman period
eventually acquires a Cypriot identity.
1878-1960
BRITISH PERIOD
Under the 1878 Cyprus Convention, Britain assumes administration of the island. It
remains formally part of the Ottoman Empire until the latter enters the First World War on
the side of Germany, and Britain in consequence annexes Cyprus in 1914. In 1923 under the
Treaty of Lausanne, Turkey relinquishes all rights to Cyprus. In 1925 Cyprus is declared a
Crown colony. In 1940 Cypriot volunteers serve in the British Armed Forces throughout the
Second World War. Hopes for self-determination being granted to other countries in the
post-war period are shattered by the British who consider the island vitally strategic.
After all means of peaceful settling of the problem are exhausted. a national liberation
struggle is launched in 1955 against colonial rule and for union of Cyprus with Greece,
which lasts until 1959.
1960
REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
According to the Zurich-London Treaty. Cyprus becomes an independent republic on
l6th August 1960. It is a member of the United Nations. the Council of Europe. the
Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement. According to the above treaty. Britain retains
two Sovereign Bases (158.5 sq. km) on the island. at Dekeleia and Akrotiri- Episkopi. The
1960 Constitution of the Cyprus Republic proves unworkable in many of its provisions and
this makes its smooth implementation impossible. In 1963. the President of the Republic
proposes some amendments to facilitate the functioning of the state and the Turkish
Cypriot community responds with rebellion. The Turkish Cypriot ministers withdraw from the
Cabinet and Turkish Cypriot civil servants cease attending their offices while Turkey
threatens to invade Cyprus. Since then. the aim of the Turkish Cypriot leadership. acting
on instructions from the Turkish Government. has been the partitioning of Cyprus and its
annexation to Turkey. Using as a pretext the coup of July 1974. instigated against the
Cyprus Government by the military Junta, then in power in Athens. Turkey invades Cyprus on
July 201974. violating all principles governing international relations and the UN
Charter. As a result. approximately 37% of the island is occupied, 40% of the Greek
Cypriot population violently uprooted and thousands of people, including civilians,
killed, ill-treated or disappear without trace. The continuation of Turkish military
occupation and the violation of the fundamental human rights of the people of Cyprus have
been condemned by international bodies, but until today Turkey refuses to withdraw from
Cyprus and maintains the island's division by the force of arms.
