Timeline of Cyprus

Chronology

26 events spanning the history of Cyprus. BCE/CE dating.

1. 4500 BCE – 3500 BCE

   The aceramic civilization of Cyprus came to an end quite abruptly around 6000 BC.

   The aceramic civilization of Cyprus came to an end quite abruptly around 6000 BC. It was probably followed by a vacuum of almost 1.500 years until around 4500 BC when we have the emergence of Neolithic II. At this time newcomers arrived in Cyprus introducing a new neolithic era. The main settlement that embodies most of the characteristics of the period is Sotira near the south coast of Cyprus. It had nearly fifty houses, usually having a single room that had its own hearth, benches, platforms and partitions that provided working places. The houses were on the main free-standing, with relatively thin walls and tended to be square with rounded corners.

2. 2500 BCE – 1900 BCE

   The new era was introduced by people from Anatolia who came to Cyprus

   The new era was introduced by people from Anatolia who came to Cyprus because of disturbances in Asia Minor. It is only natural that we observe the first vivid vestiges of this civilization around 2300 BC in the northern part of the island, from where it spread south and west. As the newcomers knew how to work with copper they soon moved to the so-called copperbelt of the island, that is the foothills of the Troodos mountains. This movement reflects the increased interest in the raw material that was going to be so closely connected with Cyprus for several centuries afterwards.

3. 1900 BCE – 1600 BCE

   The Middle Bronze Age is a relatively short period

   The Middle Bronze Age is a relatively short period and its earlier part is marked by peaceful development in contrast to its final years which were marked by wars. Unlike the early Bronze Age which furnishes no settlements as yet, the Middle Bronze Age shows several settlements in addition to cemeteries that give us an idea about the architecture of the period. From Alambra in central Cyprus we know that the houses were rectangular with many rooms, while streets were constructed allowing people to move freely in the community. During the same period fortresses were built in various places, a clear indication of unrest, although we are not sure about its cause.

4. 1600 BCE – 1100 BCE

   The beginning of the Late Bronze Age

   The beginning of the Late Bronze Age does not differ from the closing years of the previous period. Unrest, tension and anxiety mark all these years, probably because of some sort of engagement with the Hyksos who ruled Egypt at this time but were expelled from there in the mid-16th century. Soon afterwards peaceful conditions prevailed in the Eastern Mediterranean that witnessed a flowering of trade relations and the growing of urban centers. In the second half of the 13th century Cyprus suffered because of raids that were intensified and turned into devastating invasions in the last quarter of the same century. The newcomers brought with them their language, their advanced technology and introduced a new outlook for visual arts. Thus from c. 1220 BC Cyprus has remained predominantly Greek in culture, language and population despite various influences resulting from successive conquests.

5. 1100 BCE – 750 BCE

   In the ensuing Early Iron Age, Cyprus becomes predominantly Greek.

   In the ensuing Early Iron Age, Cyprus becomes predominantly Greek. Pottery shapes and decoration show a marked Aegean inspiration although Oriental ideas creep in from time to time.

6. 750 BCE – 475 BCE

   The 8th century BC saw a marked increase of wealth in Cyprus.

   The 8th century BC saw a marked increase of wealth in Cyprus. Communications with East and West were on the ascend and this created a prosperous society. In the Persian empire, Cyprus formed part of the fifth satrapy and in addition to tribute it had to supply the Persians with ships and crews. In their new fate the Greeks of Cyprus had as companions the Greeks of Ionia (west coast of Asia Minor; now Turkey) with whom they forged closer ties. When the Ionian Greeks revolted against Persia (499 BC) the Cypriots except for Amathus, joined in at the instigation of Onesilos, brother of the king of Salamis, whom he dethroned for not wanting to fight for independence. The Persians reacted quickly sending a considerable force against Onesilos. They won despite Ionian help.

7. 565 BCE – 545 BCE

   Cyprus was under Egyptian control.

   Cyprus was under Egyptian control.

8. 475 BCE – 325 BCE

   Tamassos was the capital of one of 11 kingdoms on Cyprus that were abolished

   Tamassos was the capital of one of 11 kingdoms on Cyprus that were abolished at the end of the 4th century and replaced by a unified administrative system.

9. 325 BCE – 30 BCE

   When Alexander the Great was marching southwards

   When Alexander the Great was marching southwards and then towards the heart of the Persian empire and finally India, the Cypriot Kings assisted him in many ways especially with their ships in the siege of Tyre. In appreciation, Alexander set them free. This period, however was very brief since the Macedonian King died soon afterwards and Cyprus became a bone of contention among his successors. Finally Cyprus was won over in 294 BC by Ptolemy who ruled Egypt where he established a dynasty that lasted for three centuries. Ptolemaic rule was rigid and exploited the island’s resources to the utmost, particularly timber and copper. A great contemporary figure of Cypriot letters was the philosopher Zeno who was born at Kition about 336 and founded the famous Stoic School of Philosophy at Athens where he died about 263 BC.

10. 30 BCE – 330

    In 58 BC the tribune Claudius Pulcher carried a law implemented by Cato

    In 58 BC the tribune Claudius Pulcher carried a law implemented by Cato, which turned Cyprus into a Roman province attached to that of Cilicia. During the civil wars, Cyprus was briefly given to Cleopatra of Egypt by Julius Caesar and later by Mark Anthony. It was reverted to Roman rule in 30 BC and in 22 BC became a Senatorial Province. Pax Romana (Roman peace) was only once disturbed in Cyprus in three centuries of Roman occupation.