by admin | Aug 17, 2012 | Uncategorized
Classical Cyprus:
Classical Cyprus coincides with the era of mainland Greece. Zenon of Kition, the founder of the philosophy movement was born during this time and Cyprus was under major Attic influence. Greek authority started to make its way into the island, even when the Cypriots tried to oppose it.
Roman Cyprus:
It was during this time period, when Alexander the great took control of Cyprus and brought about a new phase. Cypriots were not given the right to have their currency in the form of coins. The kingdoms residing within the island were given enough independence but the major administrative power remained with the Greeks. After Alexander’s death, the Egyptians took over Cyprus and suppressed its kingdoms into nothingness hence forcing their last king to commit suicide. Cyprus remained a Ptolemaic colony after that for over 250 years.
In around 58 BC, Cyprus was handed over to the Romans, where they enjoyed a phase of comparative peace and harmony. Churches were constructed, and other religious beliefs were introduced. Christianity made its appearance in the land of the Cypriots and flourished. Many people gave in to the new belief, convinced that this form of praising the lord and the highest power ruling the heavens and the Earth was much more improved than paganism. The Romans were more advanced as compared to the other foreign invaders and constructed many public buildings, most of which are still worth mentioning.
One of the renowned governor generals of ancient Rome is Cicero. The Cypriots and immigrants now settled into their new home enjoyed some good 600 years of relative prosperity under the Roman rule, before it divided in the year 395, surrendering to the Byzantine Empire, which was the eastern deviation of the Roman domain.
The cities of Cyprus were destroyed by two massive and concurrent earthquakes which marked the basis of the Byzantine Empire which was very much like the now modern life being led by the citizens of Cyprus.
by admin | Aug 16, 2012 | Uncategorized
The Bronze Age:
As the Cypriots made their transition from the Chalcolithic period towards the Bronze Age, the use of copper became infrequent. Bronze objects were manufactured using imported tin. Art played an extremely vital role within Cyprus and its people, in the form of pottery, human figurines and writing poetry in honor of human race and natural life. There was no as such contact with the exterior world; hence most of the creativity came forth from imagination or inspiration taken from surroundings and the environment.
From 1950 BC to 1650 BC, the middle Bronze Age is marked, where the proof of first persistent copper mining comes from. Painted pottery was extremely widespread and many Cypriots took interest in this new form of art and expression. By that time, Cyprus was in contact with Asia and most parts of Egypt and had begun successful trading relationships with them.
Cyprus’s late Bronze Age (1650 BC to 1050 BC) is the most significant in its evolution, history and civilizing development. The Cypriots had spread their trading network across Egypt and extended hands towards islands in the Aegean Sea. Various towns were established, attracting attention of many invaders and settlers. Most importantly jewels were engraved and exported, along with ivory products and refined pottery. The Cypriots had learned to do calligraphy by then, in the most delicate form and sold their writing materials throughout Asia and Egypt. Also, by 1400 BC, visible quantities of Mycenaean ceramic objects were being imported from Greece.
Cyprus was a territory of harmony and tranquility and extended a helping hand in the form of trading and development towards many other surrounding islands and places. Goods were imported and exported and substantial amount of profit was made, providing the nation a good living and luxury. Around 1200 BC, the first Greek speaking immigrants made their way towards Cyprus causing commotion within the presiding communities, hence leading them towards a new phase of change and transformation, more commonly known as the Iron Age.
It is also important to know that it was during this very period of the Bronze Age that writing in the form of linear characters known as Cypro-Minoan, were modified from Crete.
The Iron Age:
The beginning of the Iron Age (1050 BC to 950 BC) brought a great deal of Greek influence and domination. The pottery that the Cypriots had taken up so wholeheartedly was arranged more in the Greek way as compared to their native style. New religious beliefs as well, as cultural values were introduced, along with construction of tombs, chambers and temples. The Greek then were considered to be highly fashionable and introduced many different styles of robes and clothing. The use of bronze was now seen in the creation of vessels and containers. The Greeks indicated the use of their language more, although the residents of Cyprus continued to converse in their own mother tongue, and the foreign language was not forced upon them.
by admin | Aug 15, 2012 | Cyprus
Brief Overview:
Cyprus is one of the many places of the world, loaded in history, culture and civilization. The traditionally rich island has seen many immigrants and invaders such as the Greeks, Romans, Venetians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, Ottomans, British, Persians, Egyptians, Turks and many others to settle in, or take over the island. Positioned at the naval junction of the Eastern part of the Mediterranean sea, it is the third largest island with an exceptional account of the past. It’s the clear link between Turkey and Syria, bonding the two countries together.
Cyprus has gone through a long and agonizing history of alien command, hostility and civil dissension. Since the time when it was still a British colony, back in the 1950s, it has been the bone of contention between its two main ethnic groups – Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. The history of the many conflicts includes disagreement with British imperialism, limited freedom, and intrusion of both Greek and Turkish motherland. The power struggle between the two countries, led to the partition of the island, which today is Cyprus, and any negotiations or settlements have not reached any outcome or a truce. Conversely, it has led to further conflicts resulting in terrorism, intimidation and more aggression.
However, the people of Cyprus, or Cypriots, as they are more commonly known, have a sense of pride and nationalism on the subject of their island and hope and pray that sometime in near future, it would be untied as a single entity, alienated in 1974.
The Era of the Neolithic:
The proof of human population on this chronological land goes back to the Aceramic Neolithic period, around 10,000 BC, with the discovery of manmade artifacts on Cyprus’s southern coast. Cattle, sheep, goats and other such domestic animals were seen in around 8000 BC, by agro pastoralists from the Levantine mainland. The foundation for the growth of distinctive Cypriot culture had been laid in the best form, by this group, which was further refined and represented in a better way by inhabitants of the village Choirokoitia. The residents of this small village were quite well cultured for their times and lived in a civil way. Choirokoitia was built on the southern side of the island in around 6th century BC. Citizens lived in modern houses made of bricks and were also well-equipped with utensils and containers.
Chalcolithic Period:
In the Chalcolithic period, which is around the 4th century BC, the same system applied as that of the Neolithic age and not many differences were outlined. The only expansion and improvement was in the form of copper and its usage. People of the Chalcolithic age were quite imaginative and made human figurines with copper and stone. In 2500 BC, an enormous range of settlers made their way towards Cyprus, armed with new technology, more advanced with unique style, exploring their boundaries with exuberance, hence gradually, the island and its people switching to the Bronze Age.