Why has this tiny Mediterranean island been the scene of so many wars, legends, and geopolitical drama?
The history of Cyprus reads like a Game of Thrones season, with kings, conquests, rebellions, and even a goddess of love said to have been born from the foam of the sea.
Welcome to Cyprus. Welcome to a story that spans thousands of years and is still being written.
From Mythical Gods to Modern Disunity: An Island of Gods and Phoenicians
The first signs of life on Cyprus date back over 10,000 years.
But things really took off around 1200 BC, when Greek colonists arrived. Cyprus became associated with the Mycenaean civilization, and the island grew into a religious and cultural center.
Fun fact: According to mythology, Aphrodite – the goddess of love – was born in the waves at Petra tou Romiou, on the coast near Paphos.
Next came the Phoenicians, Egyptians , and even the Assyrians . They all viewed Cyprus as a strategic and economic gem in the eastern Mediterranean.
From Romans to Byzantines
After its conquest by Alexander the Great, Cyprus eventually became part of the Roman Empire in 58 BC.
Under Roman (and later Byzantine) rule, the island flourished, though earthquakes and invasions occasionally caused chaos.
Between the 4th and 12th centuries, Cyprus developed into an important Christian stronghold.
Orthodox monasteries, such as that of Kykkos, date from this period and can still be visited today.
Crusaders, Venetians & Ottoman rule
In 1191 came the most surprising turn of events: Richard the Lionheart, King of England, conquered Cyprus during the Third Crusade.
After a brief English stopover, the island came into the hands of the Lusignan dynasty, which transformed Cyprus into a French-inspired kingdom.
Next came the Venetians (1489) – who built the famous fortresses of Famagusta and Nicosia – until the Ottomans conquered the island in 1571. This Turkish period would last no less than three centuries .
British rule and the road to independence
In 1878, the British Empire gained control of Cyprus. What began as a protectorate became an official British crown colonyin
Yet tensions persisted: the Greek Cypriot population dreamed of Enosis (annexation with Greece), while the Turkish Cypriots wanted nothing to do with it.
Tensions escalated, and in 1960 Cyprus finally became independent – with guarantees for both the Greek and Turkish populations.
The division of Cyprus
The most dramatic chapter occurred in 1974:
After a Greek-backed coup, the Turkish army invaded northern Cyprus.
Since then, the island has been divided:
- The southern part is internationally recognized as the Republic of Cyprus, a member of the EU.
- The north calls itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, but is only recognised by Turkey.
A wall through Nicosia – Europe's last divided capital – serves as a daily reminder of this complex reality.
Cyprus Today: EU Member, Tax Haven, and Cultural Heritage
Cyprus has been a member of the European Union and is becoming increasingly popular among digital nomads, investors, and people looking for sun as well as tax benefits.
But beneath that modern facade, a deep, complex history lives on in every village, monastery and ruin.
Summary: What to remember about the history of Cyprus
- Earliest habitation: 8,000 – 10,000 BC
- Mythical origin: Birth of Aphrodite
- Rulers: Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans, British
- Independence: 1960
- Division: Since 1974 – South vs. North
- Current status: Southern Cyprus = EU member state, internationally recognized
Why this knowledge is important for you
Whether you want to move to Cyprus, invest, or simply understand where your money is going – insight into the history of Cyprus helps you better understand the island and its people.
And honestly? It just makes you a lot more interesting at the bar
