A Nation Divided

Historic and Cultural Intro to Cyprus

A Divided Island

Today, the Republic of Cyprus (Cyprus) is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. It is divided into two sides, the Turkish North and the Cypriot South. Its capital, Nicosia, remains the only divided capital in the world. Thus, the island is made up of a clash of what are now two different cultures which had the same humble beginnings.

The first evidence of human life in Cyprus dates back to around 10,000 BC, the Neolithic period. It is believed that this era marked the extinction of the Pleistocene-era pygmy hippopotamus and the elephant. By 8,000 BC, domesticated animals such as sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle were introduced. Around this time seems to be when people really began to settle in Cyprus and build homes for themselves. Perhaps the era’s most noteworthy accomplishment was the use of copper which marked the beginning of the transition into the Bronze Age.

Distinguishing characteristics of the Bronze Age include the vast spread of agriculture, extensive foreign trade with Egypt and the island of the Aegean Sea, the adaptation of the linear writing style from Crete and a remarkable increase in the amount of Mycenaean pottery imported from Greece. With the production of more of Cyprus’ own pottery, fine jewelry and ivory carvings, overseas trade expanded tremendously and ushered into the island foreign goods and people including the first Greek settlers. This marked the start of the Cypriot’s Greek roots.

Because of Cyprus’ strategic location at the crossroads of three continents, Europe, Africa, and Asia, it has been occupied by several major powers. During the next era, the Archaic and Classical period, Cyprus was ruled in turn by the Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians. In 333 BC, Alexander the Great and the kings of Cyprus defeat the Persians and Cyprus once again became an Egyptian province for a short period before the takeover by the Romans. The Romans ruled for about 450 years and...