History of Cyprus

Introduction to Northern Cyprus

Those who have visited Northern Cyprus will remmember an island of golden beaches, brilliant water, mountain forests, ancient castles, and sun-bleached villages. But most memorable are the warm, friendly smiles of the Turkish Cypriot people.

It is a small country, only about 120 miles from east to west and about 15 miles from north to south. However, the variety, in terms of topography, flora and fauna, and levels of development are great. The seaside town of Kyrenia with its surrounding mountain villages offers all the modern facilities of a European town, whereas the villages of the Karpaz region seem to have been left behind in another age. Mountains, castles, beaches and the dry central plain (Mesaoria) offer visitors much to feast their eyes on.

History is a major theme in Cyprus, the island having been repeatedly invaded throughout its turbulent history, and the legacies of the past continue even to this day.

But despite the past, Northern Cyprus is a peaceful place, which has seemingly sidestepped the pressures of modernity. The peace of life is show, as if the 200,000 or so inhabitants have more time than they know what to do with. So, if you are visiting Northern Cyprus, don’t be in a hurry, and prepare yourself for a relaxing break from the grind of modern life.

Period Event       c.8,500 - 8,000 BC Hunter Gatherers     7,000 - 5,300 BC The first settlers: the Khirokitians     4,000 - 2,500 BC Chalcolitic (Copper) Age: stone crucifix pendants are carved     2,700 - 1,600 BC Cypriot Bronze Ages, Early and Middle: cattle, horses, and bronze making are introduced as well as highly indi- vidual pottery style     1,600 - 1,050 BC The Late Bronze Age: period of sophisticated literate city states such as Enkomi-Alasia and Kition     1,500 - 1,450 BC Hittite rule in Cyprus     1,450 - 1,000 BC Beginning of the Egyptian domination of the island     1,200 - 1,000 BC Establishment of the city states of Salamis (capital at the time), Soli, Marion, Paphos, Kurium, and Kyrenia; arrival of Greek colonies     1,000 - 850 BC Iron Age - Cypro-Geometric Period. The coming of Iron, the Dorians and a Dark Age also known as Cypro-Geometric I and II     850 - 750 BC Iron Age - Cypro-Geometric Period. The Phoenician-led Renaissance and Assyrian rule on the island.     750 - 475 BC Iron Age - Cypro-Archaic Period. Time of the city-kingdoms despite the island being ruled by a succession of foreign countries for much of the period (Assyrians, from 709 BC; Egyptians, from c.570 BC; and Persians, from 545 BC).     568 - 525 BC Egyptian domination     525 - 333 BC Iron Age - Cypro-Classical Period sees the Persian occupation and the rule of the island and the duel between the city kingdoms of Kition and Salamis.     333 - 58 BC Hellenistic rule: the heirs of the Alexander the Great rule the island     58 BC - 395 AD Roman Empire ruling Cyprus: 350 years of quiet provincial prosperity     395 - 649 AD Island becomes a part of the Byzantine Empire when Cyprus is gradually converted from paganism to Orthodox Christianity (Early Byzantine period)     649 - 965 AD A second Dark Age: the island is caught on the frontier between the two warring empires of Byzantium and Islam     965 - 1191 Return of the island to Byzantium (Late Byzantine period)     1191 - 1192 Rule of the island by Richard I (the Lionheart), of England and later by the Knights Templars     1192 - 1489 Rule of the island by the Frankish Lusignan Dynasty     1489 - 1570 Venetian domination of Cyprus     1571 - 1878 Conquest of the island by the Ottoman Empire     1878 - 1925 In accordance with a defence-alliance between Britain and the Ottoman Empire, the administration of Cyprus passes to Britain     1925 - 1960 Cyprus is annexed by Britain when Ottoman Empire enters into the World War I on the side of Germany; subsequently the island becomes a Crown Colony and under the British rule     1960 Foundation of the Republic of Cyprus (by the Turkish and Greek-Cypriot communities)     1963 Inter-communal strife in Cyprus and the subsequent collapse of the constitutional rule     1974 Coup d'etat by the Greek army officers stationed on the island to overthrow the President (Makarios) with the aim of uniting the island with Greece; subsequent Turkish Military intervention (under the provisions of the Treaty of Guarantee of the Republic of Cyprus)     1974 Division of the island into Turkish-Cypriot North and Greek-Cypriot South     1975 Declaration of the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus, to pave way for a federal settlement on the island     1983 Foundation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus     1990 The 'Republic of Cyprus' (effectively the Greek-Cypriot South Cyprus) applied for full membership to the EU on 4th July 1990. This application was made without the consent of the Turkish-Cypriot Community as was required by the Constitution of the 'Republic of Cyprus'.     2002-3 Dialogue and negotiations between Denktash & Klerides to unify the North & South before EU entry     2003 After 30 years borders open between North and South Cyprus on 23 April 2003, following the Turkish-Cypriot Authorities' ease the border restrictions.     2004 Twin-Referendums on uniting the island under the UN Annan's Plan - accepted by Turkish-Cypriots, but rejected by Greek-Cypriots. Island (effectively Greek-Cypriot Southern Cyprus) becomes a member of the EU.