Cyprus history

Therefore in all places you will visit you will find ancient monuments and sites, churches and monasteries witnessing over 9.000 years of civilization and history. History in Cyprus begins almost in 7000 BC, the Neolithic Age, with people settling along the north and south coasts of the island.

After1400 BC, Mycenaen merchants settled in the island, and they were the ones that brought the Greek mark in Cyprus.

Cyprus had become a Greek island by1050 BC, when language, culture and religion of Greece had been well established in all areas. Cyprus has ten city-kingdoms and by 800 BC it is a up-and-coming, wealthy country.

From 750 BC Cyprus is dominated many times by Assyria, Egypt and Persia. In 333 BC Alexander the Great claims Cyprus for part of his empire. Cyprus continues to be part of the Hellenist Empire until 58 BC.

In 58 BC the Roman Empire wins Cyprus as its own part. After the separation of the Roman Empire Cyprus consequently becomes part of Byzantium, with Istanbul as its capital. In 1191 AD Cyprus is overpowered by the crusader Richard the Lionheart who sells the island to the Knights Templar, who resell it to Guy de Lusignan. From 1192 to 1489 Cyprus is ruled under a feudal system and Catholicism becomes the official religion.  In 1489 the Venetians take control of the island and fortify it by building walls around the towns of Nicosia and Famagusta. In 1571 Ottoman troops manage to march into the island and so Cyprus becomes part of the Ottoman Empire. Islam is now imposed to the island and Catholicism is expelled. The Greek Orthodox religion is restored.

In 1878, under the Cyprus Convention, Britain is appointed the administration of the island, while it remains part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1914 however, when the Ottomans entered the 1st World War supporting Germans, Britain annexed the island and in 1923 Turkey relinquishes all rights to Cyprus. In 1925 Cyprus is declared a Crown colony. A war breaks out in 1955 against royal rule, which lasts until 1960 when the island gains its independence.

In 1963 Turkish-Cypriot ministers withdraw from the Government so as to protest to some proposed changes to the Constitution and Turkey jumps into the opportunity of invasion.

In1974 the Greek military rule instigates a revolution in Cyprus against the Cypriot Government and Turkey gets its chance and invades the island.

Turkey continues to illegally occupy 37% of the island, violating the UN charter. It has established a false state, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Turkey and insists through violent means to maintain the separation of the island.