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Cyprus is an important eastern Mediterranean island. It was for years a part of the Ottoman Empire. Britain assumed administration of the island from the Ottomans (1878), subsequently annexing it (1914) after the Ottomans entered World War I on Germany’s side. After the War under the Treaty of Lausanne (1923), Turkey relinquished all rights to Cyprus. Cyprus became a Crown Colony (1925). During World War II, Cypriot volunteers served in the British forces. Hopes for self-determination by the Cypriot people however, were denied by the British, who considered the island strategically vital. A national liberation struggle began against Colonial rule and for the union of Cyprus with Greece (1955). The struugle lasted until 1959. Independence from the U.K. was approved with constitutional guarantees by the Greek Cypriot majority to the Turkish Cypriot minority (1960). A Greek-sponsored attempt ito seize the government (1974) was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled almost 40 percent of the island. The Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (1983), but it is recognized only by Turkey. UN-led talks on the status of Cyprus resumed (December 1999). The goal was to prepare the ground for meaningful negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement.
Achaean Greek Kingdoms (12th-8th centuries BC)
Achaean Greeks arrived on Cyprus. They establish several rival kingdoms. Their culture is similar to that of the Greeks on the mainland, including language, religion, customs, and clothing. They construct new cities such as Paphos, Salamis, Kition. The Cypriot Greek kindoms experience considerable prosperity (8th century BC).
The Greek Cypriot kingdoms fall to the great ancient empires that arose in the Middle East. They are unable to effectively resist first Assyria and then Egypt and Persia. King Evagoras of Salamis (411-374 BC) rebeled against Persia and managed to uify the island for a time. The Persians, howsever, strike back and besiege his stronghold.
Evagoras has to make peace with the Persians and ceede contro of the island.
Alexander the Great defeated Persians (333 BC). Cyprus as a result becomes part of his empire. Alexander dies only a few years later. His Empire is split among his commanders. Cyprus becomes part of the Hellenistic state of the Ptolemies which is centered on Egypt. Cyprus is this firmly part of the Greek Alexandrine world. Paphis becomes the Cypriot capital. Cyprus with its mineral resources become a wealthy province. The sons of Ptolemy V quarrelled and appealed to Rome (190 BC). This was the beginning of Roman influence.
Marcus Portius Cato seized Cyprus for Rome and became the first Roman governor (58 BC). Julius Ceasar returned Cyprus to Cleopatra as a present (47 BC). Egyptian rule was, however, short loved. After the assasination of Ceasar and then the defeat of Anthony band Cleopatra at Actium, Cleopatra commits suiside (30 BC). Cyprus again became part of the Roman Empire. What follows accordian to one historian was "350 years of quiet provincial prosperity". Saints Paul and Barnabas help implant Christianity. Cyprus becomes the first part of the Empire to be governed by Christian. Earthquakes cause widespread desvestation (1st century BC). Cities have to be rebuilt.
The Romans divide the Empire into a Western and Eastern part (330 AD). Cyprus comes under the rule of the Eastern Empire which gradually reverts to its Hellanistic roots. Constantinople is the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Constantine is influenced by his mother Helena toward Christinity. She is said to have stopped in Cyprus on her journey from the Holy Land where she founded churches. She was reported to have remnants of the Holy Cross and founded the monastery of Stavrovouni. Cyprus under the Byzantines is gradually converted from Roman paganism to Orthodox Christianity. Earthquakes completely destroy the main cities on Cyprus (4th century). New cities are built. Constantia becomes the new capital. Large Christin basilicas are built (4-5th century AD). Arabs burst out of the Arabian Peninsula and defeat Byzantine armies in the Levant. Soon the Arabs invaded Cyprus (647). The island is caught between the two warring empires of Byzantium and Islamic Cazliphate. for three centuriues. Emperor Justinian II and Caliph al-Malik agree to a peace treaty neutralizing Cyprus (688). This does not end all of the fighting. Arab pirates attack Cyprus as well as shipping to and from Cypriot ports. Emperor Nicephoros Phocas gained a great victory and drove the Arabs from Asia Minor and Cyprus (965).
The Normans often called the Franks by the Arabs played a major role in the Crusades. Richard the Lionheart conquered Cyprus and sold it to the Templars for 100,000 dinars (1192). He married Berengaria of Navarre in Limassol and she is crowned queen of England, but never sees England. The Templars then sold the island back to King Richard. He later sells it to Guy de Lusignan. Guy estabished the Lusignan dynasty (1192). The Normans build many beautiful gothic churches and other buildings. Some of the most importsnt are the Cathedrals of Ayia Sophia in Nicosia, Saint Nicholas in Famagusta and Bellapais Abbey. The Lusignans establish the capital at Nicosia. The Lusignan dynasty ends when the last queen Catherina Cornaro ceded Cyprus to Venice in the hope that Venetian naval power could stave off Ottoman invasion (1489).
Venice rises as a great Mediterranean power as the Byzabtine Empire declines. After the fall of Constabtinople to the Ottoman Turks, Venetians see Cyprus as a critical barrrier against the Ottomans in the east Mediterranean. They fortify the island tearing down beautiful buildings in the process. Nicosia is tranformed into a military bastion. It becomes a tight encircled area defended by a wall with bastions and a moat, The Venetisans also build protective walls around Famagusta. They were admired at the time as works of military art.
The Ottomans as the Vednitians expected do attack Cyprus (1570). They take Nicosia and slaughter the population of 20,000 people. They lay siege to Famagusta. Venetian commander Marc Antonio Bragadin holds out for a year. Starvation eventually forced them to surrender to Ottoman commander Lala Mustafa. He at first offers free passage, but is outraged when he sees what a small force has opposed him. He orders Bragadin to be flayed alive and then drawn and quartered. The others are slaughtered. The Ottomons add Cyprus to ntheir Empire. The Roman Catholics are expelled or converted to Islam. The Greek Orthodox faith is restored, The Archibishop as leader of the Greek Orthodox, becomes their representative to the Sultan. The Ottomans after the Greek War of Independence breaks out (1821) executes the Archibishop of Cyprus, Kyprianos, three bishops and hundreds of civic leaders in reprisal.
After the Russo-Turkish War and Congress of Berlin, the British take over respinsibility for the administration of Cyprus (1878). The Island remains, however, formally a part of the Ottoman Empire. This does not change until World War I when the Ottoman Empire enters Workd war I on the side of the Central Powers (1914). Britain them annexes Cyprus. After the War, under the terns oif the Treaty of Lausanne, the new Turkish Republic renounces any claim to Cyprus (1923). Britain declares Cyprus a Crown colony (1925). The British held Cyprus throughout World War II. Cypriot volunteers served in various branches of the British forces. Many Cypriots expected Britain to grant independence as many colonies achieved indepedndence after the War. The British Government saw Cyprus as a vital strategic position. As a result, an indeoendence movement gained support. Armed groupd began attacking the British (1955-59).
The Cypriots and British negotiate the Zurich-London Treaty recognizing Cyprus as an independent republic (1960). Cyprus joined the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the Commonwealth as well as the Non-Aligned Movement. Britain was allowed to retains two bases (Dhekelia and Akrotiri-Episkopi).
The 1960 Constitution proved unworkable. Turkish ministers withdrew from the Cabinet and the Turkish civil servants stoped working (1963). Turkey threatened to intervene. The Turkish Cypriot leadership apparently was acing under instructions from the Turkish Government with the goal of partitioning Cyprus and annexing the Turkish area. Turkey. The Greek Military junta stage a coup in an attempt to overthrow President (Archbishop) Makarios (July 1974). Their goal was to unite Cyprus to Greece. The Turks reacted by invading northern Cyprus with 40,000 troops. The Turks occupie about 40 percent of the Island. About 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forced out of the Turkish occupied area. The Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (1983), but it is recognized only by Turkey. UN-led talks on the status of Cyprus resumed (December 1999). The goal was to prepare the ground for meaningful negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement.
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