History of Cyprus Volume 1
written by Hera Genakritou
Publisher Nikos Chr. Pattihis, Fileleftheros, Nicosia, Cyprus 2012
cover illustration by Kyriaki Costa
Volume 1 covers the prehistoric period until ancient Salamis
Excerpts from the book, courtesy of Hera Genakritou & Publisher Nikos Chr. Pattihis, Fileleftheros.
the discovery of copper
Κύπρος (Cyprus) from Cuprum (the Latin name for copper) or simply from Κύπρος? We may never know which. What is certain, when the Cypriots discovered copper, the island became the largest centre for production, metal working and export to the ancient world.
Relationship with Egypt.
Nefertiti, an ancient Egyptian queen who lived between 1370-1330 BC, was the main wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten.
Tablets discovered in Amarna, Egypt, have correspondence between the king of Alasia (Cyprus) whose name is unknown with Pharaoh Akhenaten, calling him ‘brother’. In exchange for sending copper he requested the Pharaoh send in return, gold, silver, oils and clothes.
the Mycenaeans come
The Mycenaeans came to Cyprus around 1,400 BC and had a decisive impact on the life of people and the population of Cyprus.
Sea born Aphrodite
Out of the twelve gods of Olympus, the Cypriots singled out and worshipped Aphrodite, who according to mythology was born from the mixing of the sky and the sea and was amongst the gods and mortals the most beautiful.
from troy to cyprus
Tefkros, Akamas, Kifeas are famous heroes of the Trojan War after which, instead of returning to their homelands they settled in Cyprus and created a Kingdom.
europa and the bull
Hesiod states that Zeus, seeing Europa so disappointed about her beauty, transformed himself into a bull, snatched her onto his back and took her to Crete. In Cyprus, the king of the town Mariou (5th century BC), minted coins with the image of Europa’s abduction.
solon
The Athenian statesman, lawmaker, political philosopher and poet visited his friend King Filokipros of Aipia, a poor, small town in Cyprus. Solon gave advice to the King to move the village further down. This advice was so successful that the town flourished and many came to live there. Solon introduced many parts of democracy that improved the lives of the people. The kingdom town was renamed from Aipia to Solous and the inhabitants named ‘Soli’.
The revolution of Onisilos
King Onesilos, overthrew his brother King Gorgos of Salamis in order to revolt against Persian Rule. He united all the kingdoms of Cyprus, except that of Amathus. In the battle with the Persians, Onesilos was killed. The Amathusians, who were on the side of the Persians, took revenge and cut off Onesilos’ head and hung it at the main entrance to their city. When time passed and only the skull remained, a bee went and nested inside it creating a hive of honeycomb. The Amathusians saw this and were very afraid. They thought that this was some kind of bad sign for them and their city, so they ran to consult the oracle in the temple of Apollo in Curium. “You must make sacrifices and bury the skull with royal honours”. The Amathusians, trembling with the wrath of the Gods, immediately did so. In the years that followed, they continued to honour Onisilos with festive events and competitions.
Kimonas
The greatest and the most successful victory against the Persians was under Kimonas 510 – 450 BC Athenian statesman and general.
Kimonas arrived in Cyprus with a fleet of 200 ships, and after first liberating Mari and the Soli, he headed for Kitio, where the Persian headquarters was located, and where the most decisive battle was to be fought. Whilst preparing for further battle with the Persians, Kimonas died, with some historical sources stating it an illness. The news of his death was kept secret in order to not demoralise the troops.
At the gates of Salamis, the Greeks met the Persian fleet and a great naval battle took place in which the Greeks defeated the Persians. There is a phrase attributed to the story of Kimon that is still used to this day “Even dead he would win”.
Salamina (Salamis), the Glorious City
Founded by Tefkros, one of the heroes of the Trojan War, and for over a thousand years the richest city in Cyprus, with a fame that spread far.
King Evagoras of Salamis
Evagoras, King of Salamis, born 435BC was a handsome, strong and gallant. He was gifted as a born leader and managed to alter Cyprus from the Persian sovereignty, and make Salamina a centre of Hellenism in the east.
Cyprus Persian War
The preparations for and Persian-Cypriot War lasted ten years. General of the fleet was King Evagoras son, Pnitagoras.