North Cyprus History

Chalcolithic period. Discovery of copper on island led to growth in trade.

Contemporary with early Egyptian dynasties and Minoan civilisations of Crete. Cyprus inhabited by people identical to those found in Central Europe, Asia Minor and Syria.

Enkomi, near Gazimagusa, major trading centre in copper, becomes capital of Alassia (as Cyprus was then called).

2nd Bronze
Age (1900-
15OO BC)

Contemporary with middle Egyptian dynasties, Mycenaeans and Phoenicians colonising the Mediterranean. Cyprus paid tribute to them, but only the Phoenicians and Greeks colonised and left settlements. The Egyptians never occupied. Greek city states of Salamis, Soli, Marion, Curium and Paphos. Cult of Aphrodite introduced. No political link with Greece, as settlers were always breakaways from the mainland, exiles or entrepreneurs wishing to set up a new life in a different land.

Phoenician King Hiram of Tyre invades and gathers tribute. Phoenicians rule Cyprus. Main Phoenician settlement at Kition near Larnaca.

Assyrian rulers, Sargon to Nebuchadnezzar. Cyprus joins with them in wars against Egyptians.

Zeno, founder of Stoic philosophy, born at Kition. Only really great name to come out of Cyprus.

Alexander the Great. Cypriots were to send ships to Tyre to help lift siege, but sent them to Alexander instead, thus ensuring overthrow of Persians. Cyprus becomes part of Alexander's empire.

Hellenistic period. From Alexander's death until arrival of Romans, Cyprus ruled from Alexandria, Egypt, first by Ptolemy, Alexander's general, finally by Cleopatra. Arsinoe (Gazimagusa) built. Fragments of Egyptian granite and statues found at Salamis. Island is united as four districts for first time and flourishes under relatively peaceful conditions.

St Paul and St Barnabas arrive at Salamis on first missionary journey. Roman proconsul converted to Christianity.

Under Roman Emperor Trajan, Jews on island (who had fled here to escape Roman persecution in Palestine) massacre 240,000 Cypriots, including St Barnabas, native of Salamis. As a result, Romans expel all Jews from Cyprus.

Under Hadrian, climax of Roman monumental art.

Emperor Constantine officially recognises Christianity. Most of Cyprus is already Christian by this time.

Rule of Byzantium.

Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, visits on return from trip to Jerusalem. Salamis rebuilt as Constantia after severe earthquakes of 4th century.

Division of Byzantine empire into east and west; Cyprus comes under eastern half, with capital at Constantinople, but is ruled from Antioch in Syria.

Under Emperor Zeno, autocephalous Church of Cyprus is recognised, with independent Cypriot archbishop. Monastery of St Barnabas built.

Climax of Byzantine art; period of peace and unity.

Isaac Comnenus, rebel Byzantine prince from Trabzon, arrives on island and proclaims himself Emperor of Cyprus. Rules for seven years in style of despot, but this is only the second time in Cyprus's history when it is independent of a foreign power.

Richard the Lionheart captures Cyprus on way to Third Crusade.

Norman French occupation under the Lusignan dynasty. Castle and town of Nicosia built under Amaury, Guy's brother. Feudal system created, as in Kingdom of Jerusalem. Rulers take titles of King of Cyprus and King of Jerusalem.

Byzantine castles of Hilarion, Buffavcnto and Kantara refortified and elaborated by the Lusignan Crusaders.

Cathedral of Nicosia built.

Cathedral of Famagusta built after fall of Acre, last Christian toehold in Holy Land.

Bellapais Abbey built. Native islanders isolated from new wealth by ruling Catholic French-speakers and treated as serfs. Orthodox Church persecuted, humiliated and made subject to Rome and the Pope.

Cyprus partly ruled by Genoa. Island at war and Famagusta is ceded to Genoese as settlement. Rest of the island stays under Lusignans.

Egyptian Mamelukes pillage towns and weaken Lusignan dynasty.

Genoese expelled. Last Lusignan king takes Venetian bride, Catherine Cornaro, but both he and his newborn son are murdered, leaving Catherine nominally in control, while Venetian nobles arrange her retirement to Italy.

Leonardo da Vinci visits, possibly advising on fortification design.

Great depopulation of Cyprus. Plagues wipe out over half the population. Greek Cypriots side with Greece in revolt against Turkish rule. Island's leading churchmen are executed in punishment.

Suez Canal opens.

British occupation. British take on administration of the island, ceded from the Ottomans, for its strategic value, to protect their sea route to India via the Suez Canal. In exchange, Britain agrees to help Turkey to attack Russia.