The History
of Cyprus from about 9000 B.C to the start of British occupation in 1878
- 9000 - 3800 BC: This part of the history
of Cyprus sees the first human settlements established
at Choirokitia in the island's south and at Cape
Andreas at the end of the Cypriot pan handle.
- 700 BC: Cyprus falls under Assyrian Rule
- 570 BC: The Egyptian empire takes control of Cyprus for the first time.
- 545 BC: The island voluntarily submits to King Cyrus of
Persia
- 350 BC: Cyprus joins the Greek world. Greek architectural
styles are adopted and Greek dress becomes the norm
- 50 BC: Roman occupation starts. Many great temples,
amphitheaters and baths are constructed
- AD 45: St Paul visits Cyprus on his first missionary journey and converts Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul
of Paphos to Christianity.
- 330: A division in the Roman empire marks the
start of the Byzantine era
- 365: What has become known as the Crete Earthquake destroys Kourion.
- 700 - 1191: Periodic Arab raids of Cyprus
- 1191: Richard the Lionheart arrives in Limassol,
proceeds to capture Cyprus and becomes its effective
ruler.
- 1192: Richard's protege Guy of Lusignan is left
in control of Cyprus
- 1192 - 1489: The great cathedrals of Famagusta
and Nicosia are constructed
- 1489 - 1571: Brought in to combat the Genoese
contingent in Famagusta, Venetian forces decide
to take control of the island themselves.
- 1571: The Turkish Ottoman empire captures Cyprus
- 1878: British rule starts, see: Contemporary History
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Historical
Monuments of Cyprus
The island's many ancient monuments provide a fascinating insight
into the history of Cyprus.
The Ancient City-Kingdom of Kourion: Located
on the Akrotiri Peninsula in the south of Cyprus,
just to the west of Limassol on the road to Paphos,
is the ancient town of Kourion, which is probably
most famous for its Roman amphitheater. Built
at the end of the 2nd century AD during the Hellenistic
period, it has a capacity of some 3,500 spectators.
In 1961, it was restored by the antiquities department
and is now used for performances of plays, concerts
and other cultural events. Click
here for more information about Kourion.
THE ANCIENT CITY KINGDOM OF AMATHUS: About
7 miles east of Limassol, near Ayios Tychonas you
will find one of the largest city kingdoms of ancient
times; Amathus. According legend, Amathus,
one of the most ancient royal cities, was settled
by one of the sons of Heracles, who was worshipped
there. It was also a main cult centre for Aphrodite, and was later destroyed by King Richard
the 1st. Click
here for more information on Amathus.
KOLOSSI CASTLE:
Situated in a fertile valley
at the mouth of the river Kouris, stands Kolossi
Castle, one of the most important Medieval fortifications
in Cyprus. Initially in the keeping of the Knights Templar, the castle was handed over to the Knights of St John in the fourteenth century. Often mentioned during
records of the Middle Ages, because of the many
sugar-cane, olive, cotton, locust-tree and cereal
plantations in the vicinity, not to mention its
vinyards the produce of which takes its name from the feudal commandarie
at Kolossi. Click here for more details about Kolossi
Castle. |
