---
title: Ancient Cyprus
author: Antonios Loizides
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Ancient Cyprus
_Authored by [Antonios Loizides](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/Antonios_Loizides/)_
Cyprus is a large island located in the eastern [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) Sea, east of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/), south of [Asia Minor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/), west of the [Levant](https://www.worldhistory.org/levant/), and north of [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/). The naming of the island is a matter of dispute amongst historians. One theory suggests that the large quantity of [copper](https://www.worldhistory.org/copper/) deposits on the island gave the name Cyprus, as copper has the Latin name of *cuprum* (the Latin symbol is Cu). Another theory is based on [mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/): It proposes that the name was given by the goddess [Aphrodite](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aphrodite/) (also known as *Kyprida*) who was born on the island.
Cyprus has always had strategic importance. It was a must-have strategic point for all major powers at different times. The island was occupied by the Assyrians, the Egyptians, the Persians, the Rashidun and [Umayyad](https://www.worldhistory.org/Umayyad_Dynasty/) Arab Caliphates, the Lusignans, the Venetians, the Crusaders, the English, and finally the Ottomans.
### [Stone Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/Stone_Age/) Cyprus
The first human presence on the island dates back to 7000 BCE. There were two important [Neolithic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Neolithic/) villages on the island, both near the modern town of Limassol: Khirokitia and Kalavasos. Khirokitia had approximately 3000 to 4000 residents, and it was the first location on the island to create a strong community with houses and social organization. At the end of the Neolithic era (c. 3900 BCE), a group of settlers from [Palestine](https://www.worldhistory.org/palestine/) came to the island, attracted by the copper deposits.
From 3900 BCE to 2500 BCE, the Cypriots started working with copper and the island started rising as an economic force in the Mediterranean. During this time, there was profound interaction with the Egyptians, especially in art and the use of [hieroglyphics](https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian_Hieroglyphs/) by many Cypriot kings.
### [Bronze Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Bronze_Age/) Cyprus
The [Bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) Age (c. 2500 BCE to 1050 BCE), was both a time of growth and foreign occupation for Cyprus. After the end of the [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) with [Troy](https://www.worldhistory.org/troy/) and due to the Dorian invasion in Greece, the [Mycenaean](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mycenaean_Civilization/) Greeks started permanently settling on the island (c. 1100 BCE). There were ten coastal Mycenaean kingdoms on the island. It was then that the Cypriots started feeling more [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) and adopted the Greek language and [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/).
The Cypriot [Archaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Archaic/) Era (c. 750 BCE to 475 BCE) was a problematic time for the island's inhabitants, as the Assyrians, Egyptians, and Persians succeeded one another as rulers of the island. Around 709 BCE [Sargon II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sargon_II/) of [Assyria](https://www.worldhistory.org/assyria/) extorted submission taxes from Cyprus in exchange for the island's independence. By 699 BCE the Assyrians were involved in other conflicts and had to leave Cyprus. [Pharaoh](https://www.worldhistory.org/pharaoh/) Amasis of Egypt used the same policy as the Assyrians, when he claimed to be ruler of the island, around 560 BCE.
[  Hercules-Melqart Dan Diffendale (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5046/hercules-melqart/ "Hercules-Melqart")### Classical Cyprus
Full occupation of the island came with the Persians, around 546 BCE. The Persians came to the island in a peculiar way. When they heard that King [Cyrus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Cyrus/) of [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/) was heading west, the Cypriot kings sent him a message, surrendered their kingdoms to him, and even agreed to supply him with military forces in order to aid his [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) of Caria. Cyrus accepted the offer and in return allowed the Cypriots to mint their own coins and have their own leadership, but he also sent military troops and settlers to Cyprus in order to control the island and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Persians remained on the island until [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) conquered the [Persian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Persian_Empire/) and in doing so freed the island again. After [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/)'s [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) in 323 BCE, the island became part of the [Ptolemaic Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ptolemaic_Empire/) during the [Hellenistic Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenistic_Period/).
After the [death of Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2366/death-of-alexander-the-great/), Cyprus passed on to the Ptolemaic rule. Still under Greek influence, Cyprus gained full access to the [Greek culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Greek_Culture/) and thus became fully hellenised.
[  Three Hellenistic Heads, Cyprus James Blake Wiener (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4190/three-hellenistic-heads-cyprus/ "Three Hellenistic Heads, Cyprus")### [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) Cyprus
When the Romans became the largest power in the Meditteranean, Cyprus became their focus for various reasons. It became a Roman province in 58 BCE, when Marcus Cato took control of the island. Cyprus suffered under Roman rule, along with bad management and severe taxes. The island also suffered great losses during the Kitos War (also known as the Second Jewish-Roman War) of 115-117 CE. The Jewish leader Artemion killed many Cypriots (reportedly up to 240,000), until he was defeated by a [Roman army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Army/) in 117 CE. Subsequently, the [Roman government](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Government/) passed laws banning Jews from the island.
The apostles [Paul](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Paul/) and Varnavas, along with the evangelist Marcus came to Cyprus and spread [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/) among the Cypriots. Τhe Cypriots accepted the new religion, and because the Church of Cyprus was founded by Apostles, the Cypriot church had and still has the right to have her own Archbishop – *autokefalus*.
After the division of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) into eastern and a western halves, Cyprus came under the rule of the [Eastern Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/) (also known as the [Byzantine Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/)).The [Byzantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Byzantine/) Emperors paid much attention to Cyprus, due to its vital position in the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/).
Alas, Cyprus' position once more proved to be a curse for the island: The Arabs, in their strategy of encircling the Byzantine Empire, started invading Cyprus, first in 648/9 CE, when Emir Moabia invaded and destroyed the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Constantia (the capital of Cyprus at the time). The same thing happend in 653, 743, 806, and finally 911 CE, until Emperor [Nikephoros II Phokas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nikephoros_II_Phokas/) reconquered Cyprus for the Byzantine Empire (944-966 CE).
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- Republic of Cyprus. *Cyprus at a Glance.* Nicosia, 2005, 40.
- Republic of Cyprus. *History of Cyprus.* Nicosia, 1990, 102.
## About the Author
History, Ancient and Moder Greek Language as well as Latin Teacher. I am the CEO / CTO of Alphaomega Private Institute in Nicosia - Cyprus.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/antonisloizides)
## Timeline
- **c. 7000 BCE**: First human settlement of [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/).
- **7000 BCE - 2500 BCE**: [Neolithic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Neolithic/) and Chalcolithic periods on [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/).
- **2500 BCE - 1100 BCE**: [Bronze Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Bronze_Age/) in [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/).
- **c. 1600 BCE - c. 1200 BCE**: [Ugarit](https://www.worldhistory.org/ugarit/) has close ties with [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) and [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/).
- **709 BCE - 699 BCE**: [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/) pays tribute to the Assyrian [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/).
- **560 BCE - 546 BCE**: [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/) pays tribute to the [Egyptian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian_Empire/).
- **546 BCE**: The Persians occupy [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/), being invited by Cypriot leaders.
- **478 BCE**: Spartan general [Pausanias](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Pausanias/) is given command of a force and takes both [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/) and [Byzantium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantium/).
- **450 BCE**: Athenian general [Cimon](https://www.worldhistory.org/cimon/) dies on [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/) fighting the Persians.
- **323 BCE**: Upon the [death of Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2366/death-of-alexander-the-great/), [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/) becomes part of the [Ptolemaic Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ptolemaic_Empire/).
- **306 BCE**: [Demetrius I of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Demetrius_I_of_Macedon/) defeats [Ptolemy](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ptolemy/)'s fleet at [Salamis](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Salamis/), off the coast of [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/).
- **58 BCE - 648 CE**: [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/) is a [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) province.
- **115 CE - 117 CE**: [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/) suffers heavily in the Second Jewish-[Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/).
- **648 CE - 965 CE**: [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/) is under Arab rule.
## External Links
- [People of Cyprus Revealed by Inspirational Personal Stories](https://www.peopleareculture.com/people-of-cyprus/)
- [Cyprus—Island of Copper | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cyco/hd_cyco.htm)
- [Geometric and Archaic Cyprus | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/gcyp/hd_gcyp.htm)
- [Hellenistic and Roman Cyprus | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hcyp/hd_hcyp.htm)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Loizides, A. (2012, March 22). Ancient Cyprus. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Loizides, Antonios. "Ancient Cyprus." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 22, 2012. .
### MLA
Loizides, Antonios. "Ancient Cyprus." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 Mar 2012, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Antonios Loizides](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/Antonios_Loizides/ "User Page: Antonios Loizides"), published on 22 March 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.