The earliest known inhabitants of Cyprus were Mycenaean Greeks who settled on the island in the 2nd millennium BCE.
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The earliest known inhabitants of Cyprus were Mycenaean Greeks who settled on the island in the 2nd millennium BCE. This settlement was followed by a series of conquerors and rulers, including the Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, and Crusaders.
According to the renowned historian Herodotus, Cyprus has been a contested land since time immemorial. In his Histories, Herodotus writes, “The Cyprians do not tell the same story as other men about the birth of Aphrodite, but they say that she sprang from the sea and landed at Cyprus, and that on this account the goddess is especially worshipped by the people there.” This mythology justifies the island’s place as a coveted symbol of beauty and exoticism in ancient times.
Here are some interesting facts about Cyprus’s complex history:
- The island of Cyprus was once known as Alashiya, and it was an important trading center for copper in the ancient world.
- In 1191, Richard the Lionheart of England conquered Cyprus while on his way to the Holy Land.
- The Lusignan dynasty, a French royal family, ruled Cyprus from 1192 to 1489.
- In 1570, the Ottoman Empire conquered Cyprus and ruled over the island until 1878, when it was leased to Britain.
- Cyprus gained independence from Britain in 1960, but the ongoing conflict between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities led to a Turkish invasion in 1974 and the eventual partition of the island.
Here is a table summarizing the major conquerors and rulers of Cyprus throughout history:
| Civilization/Ruler | Years of Rule |
|---|---|
| Mycenaean Greeks | 2nd millennium BCE |
| Phoenicians | 9th century BCE |
| Assyrians | 7th century BCE |
| Egyptians | 545-525 BCE |
| Persians | 525-333 BCE |
| Alexander the Great | 333 BCE |
| Ptolemaic dynasty | 323-58 BCE |
| Romans | 58 BCE-395 CE |
| Byzantines | 395-1191 |
| Crusaders | 1191-1489 |
| Ottoman Empire | 1570-1878 |
| British Empire | 1878-1960 |
| Independent Cyprus | 1960-present |
In conclusion, while the Mycenaean Greeks were the first known inhabitants of Cyprus, the island’s history has been marked by an array of rulers and conquerors. Today, Cyprus is a fascinating blend of cultural influences and a popular tourist destination in the Mediterranean.
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Cyprus became divided after tensions rose between the Greek and Turkish populations following the country’s independence from Britain, leading to a Greek-backed coup in 1974. Turkey intervened unilaterally to protect the Turkish minority, which embarrassed the military government in Greece and led to international condemnation when Turkey continued to push further across the island. The Turkish Cypriot administration was created, and many people were forced out of their homes and cleared from the north. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot government declared independence, which was only supported by Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Despite international condemnation, the island remains divided today.
Some further responses to your query
Cyprus which was ruled by different suzerains, but which never in its entire history came under Greek rule, was conquered by the Ottomans in 1571 and ruled by them until 1878.
Cyprus was settled by Mycenaean Greeks in two distinct waves in the 2nd millennium BC. The Achaeans colonized Cyprus from 1210 to 1000 BC, and the Dorian Greeks arrived around 1100 BC. The evidence suggests that the Dorian Greeks settled on Cyprus peacefully. Cyprus was part of the British Empire from 1914 to 1960, under military occupation from 1914 to 1925, and a Crown colony from 1925 to 1960. Cyprus became an independent nation in 1960.
Cyprus was settled by Mycenaean Greeks in two distinct waves in the 2nd millennium BC. These waves of Greek settlement left a lasting impact on the island’s culture, language, and architecture.
Achaeans were colonizing Cyprus from 1210 to 1000 BC. Dorian Greeks arrived around 1100 BC and, unlike the pattern on the Greek mainland, the evidence suggests that they settled on Cyprus peacefully.
Cyprus was part of the British Empire, under military occupation from 1914 to 1925, and a Crown colony from 1925 to 1960. Cyprus became an independent nation in 1960.
Cyprus was settled by Mycenaean Greeks in two distinct waves in the 2nd millennium BC. These waves of Greek settlement left a lasting impact on the island’s culture, language, and architecture.
More interesting questions on the issue
Similarly one may ask, Who were the original inhabitants of Cyprus?
As an answer to this: Mycenaean Greeks
The earliest known human activity on the island dates to around the 10th millennium BC. Cyprus was settled by Mycenaean Greeks in two distinct waves in the 2nd millennium BC. These waves of Greek settlement left a lasting impact on the island’s culture, language, and architecture.
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Accordingly, Who invaded Cyprus first? Answer will be: The coup staged by the Athens’ junta against the elected government of President Makarios on July 15, 1974, served Turkey as a pretext to impose its divisive plans against Cyprus. On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, violating all rules of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.
Also asked, Which countries colonized Cyprus? The response is: Cyprus was subsequently colonised by the Phoenicians, the Assyrians, the Egyptians and the Persians.
Then, Where did Cypriots originate from? The reply will be: The Greek Cypriots, who constitute nearly four-fifths of the population, descended from a mixture of aboriginal inhabitants and immigrants from the Peloponnese who colonized Cyprus starting about 1200 bce and assimilated subsequent settlers up to the 16th century.
Who ruled Cyprus? The answer is: The island was successively ruled by the Assyrian, Egyptian, and Persian empires before Alexander the Great seized it in 333 BC. Subsequently, Cyprus was included in the Ptolemaic Kingdom before becoming a part of the Classical and Eastern Roman Empire.
When was Cyprus first inhabited?
The earliest known human activity on the island dates to around the 10th millennium BC. Cyprus was settled by Mycenaean Greeks in two distinct waves in the 2nd millennium BC. These waves of Greek settlement left a lasting impact on the island’s culture, language, and architecture.
Consequently, When did Cyprus become a British colony? Cyprus was part of the British Empire under military occupation from 1914 to 1925 and a Crown colony from 1925 to 1960. Cyprus’ status as a protectorate of the British Empire ended in 1914 when the Ottoman Empire declared war against the Triple Entente powers, which included Great Britain.
Keeping this in view, Why did Cyprus remain under Persian control after 499 BCE? As an answer to this: After 499 B.C.E., Persian rule became much harsher (18) and Cyprus remained in Persian control despite attempts at liberation by the Greek city-states (19). Throughout the Classical period (5th and 4th centuries B.C.E.) Cyprus remained under Persian control.
Also asked, When did Cyprus become a British colony? Answer: Cyprus was part of the British Empire under military occupation from 1914 to 1925 and a Crown colony from 1925 to 1960. Cyprus’ status as a protectorate of the British Empire ended in 1914 when the Ottoman Empire declared war against the Triple Entente powers, which included Great Britain.
In this way, Who ruled Cyprus?
Response to this: The island was successively ruled by the Assyrian, Egyptian, and Persian empires before Alexander the Great seized it in 333 BC. Subsequently, Cyprus was included in the Ptolemaic Kingdom before becoming a part of the Classical and Eastern Roman Empire.
Also to know is, Why did the British occupy Cyprus in 1878? A British protectorate under nominal Ottoman suzerainty was established over Cyprus by the Cyprus Convention of 4 June 1878, following the Russo-Turkish War, in which the British occupied the island as a consequence of the Ottoman Empire ‘s actions throughout the duration of the war.
In this way, When was Cyprus first inhabited? The earliest known human activity on the island dates to around the 10th millennium BC. Cyprus was settled by Mycenaean Greeks in two distinct waves in the 2nd millennium BC. These waves of Greek settlement left a lasting impact on the island’s culture, language, and architecture.