Their influence, however, extended far inland, including Tamassos and Idalio, in the case of the Nicosia district. The Geometric period obtained its name from the geometric shape of pottery and other works of art.
During this period the Cypriot kingdoms, as many as twelve, were shaped in the model of the Mycenean kingdoms. During the Cypro-archaic period (750-475 B.C.), Cyprus was conquered successively and for a short time by the Assyrians (673-669 B.C.), the Egyptians (560-545 B.C.) and the Persians (545-332 B.C.). The Assyrians, most probably, did not intend to subjugate the Cypriots. The Cypriot kings were enjoying full freedom in domestic affairs. The “prism of Esarhaddon” (673 B.C.) testifies the existence of ten kingdoms in Cyprus. Assyrian rule hardly left any print on the Cypriot landscape. The Egyptians, who took the island around 560 B.C. left little impression on the island and as it seems they were more interested in the payment of tribute and the acknowledgement of dependence on behalf of the Cypriots. During Persian domination, though Cypriots were allowed to retain their own rulers, nevertheless the kings were obliged to pay tribute to Persia and supply their king with an army and ships for his foreign campaigns. At the beginning of the 5th century B.C. two political currents were formed in Cyprus: the pro-Persian and the pro-Greek. The pro-Greek current was reinforced by the discontent of Cypriots to pay significant amounts of money as tribute. During this period the most important kingdom of Cyprus was Salamis, having as kings firstly Onesilos and later Evagoras. Onesilos managed to unite the Cypriots and fight against the Persians, though at the end he died at Amathous, becoming a symbol of heroism. The Classical period (480-310 B.C.) coincides with the wars of the Greeks to liberate Cyprus from the Persians. Attempts of the Athenians to liberate Cyprus were not successful. Evagoras, who managed to unite the kingdoms of Cyprus, amass a fleet of 200 triremes and establish allies, particularly with Athens, fought for ten years against the Persians in an unequal conflict, exhibiting unparelleled heroism. Finally, however, he was forced to sign an agreement as king to king, abandoned all the Cypriot cities and accepted to pay tribute to the Persians. During the war enterprises of Alexander the Great and his successive victories over the Persians, the Cypriots offered varied assistance to him, a gesture much appreciated. So he freed the island and the kings were left in undisputed possession. Thus, the Hellenistic period (310-30 B.C.) starts in Cyprus. After the death of Alexander the Great, his successors, Antigonus of Asia Minor and Ptolemy of Egypt, fought for the acquisition of Cyprus, with Ptolemy finally winning. Even though the Cypriot kingdoms were over, a certain amount of self-government was retained, while the Cypriots participated in the regulation of their cultural affairs.
Three-footed vase with decoration of a horse (750-600 B.C.) (Photo, courtesy of the Dept. of Antiquities)
Cyprus Map / Geography of Cyprus / Map of Cyprus
The Greek alphabet prevailed all over the island and the peaceful conditions resulted in the expansion of economy and the increase of population. It is during this period that the capital of Cyprus was transferred from Salamis to Pafos. The well-known Tombs of the Kings in Pafos is a remarkable monument of this period. The Theatre of Kourio, built in the 2nd century B.C. is an example of the significant cultural activity developed in Cyprus. Besides, an important personality of learning appeared during this period, namely the philosopher Zeno of Kitium (334262 B.C.).
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The Roman period (30 BC -330 A.D.) is marked by increased cultural development as well as disastrous earthquakes, droughts, etc. In Limassol the Stadium of Kourio, the Theatre of Kourio (rebuilt and enlarged), the Sanctuary of Apollo (rebuilt) and some mosaics of Kourio, are constructions of this period. In Pafos, the Mosaics, the Odeion, the Theatre, the Asklepieion and the Agora belong to the Roman period. In Agia Napa the Roman period is represented by the aqueduct, still visible at the monastery. The stadium of Salamis as well as the theatres of Salamis and Soloi were constructions of this period too. Strabo, who visited Soloi around 20 B.C. mentions its harbour and temple dedicated to Aphrodite. It is during this period that Apostles Paul, Barnabas and his young relative Mark spread the Christian religion and succeeded in converting the proconsul Sergius Paulus to Christianity at Pafos. Cyprus became the first country in the world to be governed by a Christian. Moreover, it is during the Roman period that the circular road around Cyprus was constructed, linking the most important towns. During the Byzantine period (330-1191 A.D.) catastrophic earthquakes (332 A.D. and 342 A.D.) destroyed Salamis, Pafos and other cities. Salamis, under the name of Konstantia, was soon rebuilt and became the new capital of Cyprus. In 488 Emperor Zeno declared the Cyprus church autocephalous and the archbishop of Cyprus was granted three significant privileges: to sign with red ink, to wear a purple cloak at church ceremonies and carry a sceptre instead of a pastoral staff. During the Arab raids which lasted for almost three centuries, Cyprus suffered from attacks, lootings and burnings with many of its settlements and churches destroyed. The advance of Seljukes in Asia Minor and the first crusade in the 11th century obliged Byzantium to turn Cyprus into a stronghold, constructing, among others, the castles of St Hilarion, Bufavento and Kantara. In 1185 Isaac Komninos, the Byzantine governor, declared himself independent ruler of Cyprus. Early Christian monasteries are those of Stavrovouni and Tochni constructed by St Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, who, according to tradition, on her return from the Holy Lands arrived in Cyprus. During the 11th century and immediately after, many of the well-known monasteries of Cyprus were built, among which Kykkos, St John Chrysostomos, Machairas, St Neophytos (12th century), while many significant painted churches appeared, like Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, Panagia tou Araka, Asinou, etc. Many of the nine churches to the Troodos area, included in the catalogue of world cultural heritage of UNESCO, belong to this period.
Apollo and Daphne. Mosaic of the 3rd c.A.D (Photo, courtesy of the Dept. of Antiquities)
In 1191 A.D. Cyprus fell into the hands of Richard Lionheart, the king of England. Probably by accident, Richard, participating in the third crusade to the Holy Lands arrived at Limassol on 6 May 1191. The harsh treatment by Isaac to his shipwrecked crew and entourage forced him to defeat the self-declared ruler of Cyprus, while in the little chapel of St George he married Berengaria who was crowned queen of England. Richard sold the island to the Order of the Knights Templar for 100.000 byzants. The Templars, however, found the burden very heavy and thus Richard transferred sovereigntly to Guy de Lusignan. Thus, a 300-year Lusignan rule in Cyprus, known as the Frankish period, starts.
During the Frankish period (1192-1489 A.D.), the feudal system of Medieval Europe was introduced to Cyprus. Cyprus, in fact, was divided into two main categories of people with the ruling feudal class, mainly of French origin, and the foreign merchants (mostly of Italian origin) on one hand and the Greek inhabitants, mostly serfs and labourers, on the other. It is also during this period that the Catholic church replaced the Orthodox, though the latter managed to survive in spite of many persecutions. Cyprus at the time was an important trade center in the Eastern Mediterranean with Famagusta as one of the richest cities in the Middle East. Many imposing Gothic monuments were erected during the Frankish period, like the cathedral of Agia Sofia (Nicosia), Agios Nikolaos (Famagusta) and Bella Pais Abbey, in Kyrenia district. Nicosia, which became the seat of the Lusignan kings had been adorned with significant buildings and fortifications, particularly churches, palaces, towers, walls, etc. Furthermore, Nicosia became the headquarters of the Latin church. It is not only the walls of Nicosia that were constructed during this period but those of Famagusta as well. The last queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, yielded the island to the Venetians in 1489.
