Cyprus has been at the intersection of multiple cultures and civilizations over the centuries, making it one of the most complex and intriguing destinations in the Mediterranean. To learn the history of Cyprus is to gain insight into the Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, Templars, and Ottomans.
Our guide to historical Cyprus will help you to gain a deeper understanding of the island.
If you have any questions as you dive deeper into the history of Cyprus, feel free to contact us.
Humans have been living on this astonishing little island since the Paleolithic Period. In the 6th millennium BC, the Khorokitia culture built their roundhouses on a hillside near modern-day Larnaca. Bronze-Age Eastern Mediterranean cultures were established here, followed by the Cypriot City Kingdoms of the 8th century BC.
Greek language and practices have been found from the Early Iron Age, after which time Assyrians, Phoenicians, Egyptians, and Persians all ruled Cyprus. By then the island was turning to the Greeks, but became a Roman colony in 58 BC. At one point Cyprus was given by Marc Antony to Cleopatra.
During the medieval period, Cyprus was ruled by the Eastern Roman Empire, then jointly by the Muslim Arabs and the Byzantines for 300 years, before the Byzantines established full control.
The Third Crusade saw Richard the Lionheart seize Cyprus for the British before selling it to the Knights Templar, who were soon ousted by the French (Lusignans). The Kings of Cyprus and the Holy Roman Empire struggled for power for centuries until the wealthy Genoese muscled in and the island was sold to the Venetians in 1489.
That is until the Ottomans invaded in 1571. They ruled until 1878, when Cyprus eventually became a British colony.
Despite overwhelming support for the unification of Cyprus and Greece, in 1960 the island became an independent Republic.
Greek and Turkish violence led to the introduction of UN Peacekeepers in 1964. In 1974 Greek nationalists launched a military coup and Türkiye responded by invading the north of the island.
The Turkish government declared Northern Cyprus to be a Turkish republic in 1975, a fact only Türkiye recognizes. The Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, with the island remaining divided today.
With UNESCO World Heritage sites, neolithic settlements, and ancient castles, the history of Cyprus lives on. Delve deeper into its historic sites with our below guides, or discover them for yourself on our immersive Cyprus Tours in the company of archeologist guides.