8200-3900 BC: Neolithic Age
The earliest settlers known to have lived in Cyprus arrived around 10,000 years ago, as confirmed by remnants dated by archeologists. Civilizations develop along the north and south coasts. In the beginning the Neolithic people used only stone tools. Pottery appears only after 5,000 BC.

2500-1050 BC: Bronze Age
In this period the copper resources of the island are truly exploited and trade develops with the Middle East, Egypt and the islands of the Aegean Sea, where Cyprus is known as “Alasia.” After 1400 BC, Mycenaeans from Greece come to Cyprus to trade. Later, during the 12th and 11th centuries, large waves of Achaean Greeks settle on the island and Greek language, customs and religious beliefs become widespread as a consequence. These Greeks establish the city-kingdoms of Pafos, Salamis, Kition, Kourion and others.

1050-750 BC: Geometric Period
The Hellenization of the island is complete, and Cyprus now has ten Greek city-kingdoms. Phoenicians from Tyre, already expert seamen and merchants, settle at Kition. Great prosperity comes with the 8th century BC. The cult of Aphrodite flourishes.

750-325 BC: Archaic and Classical Period
While prosperous times continue, there are several foreign incursions. Assyrians make inroads on the island, overthrowing at least seven Cypriot kingdoms as they do. Then come the Egyptians.

The reign of Pharaoh Ahmose II (569-525 BC) is peaceful but soon Cyprus is entangled in the tensions between Greece and Persia. King Evagoras of Salamis, ruling from 411-374 BC, unifies Cyprus and makes it one of the leading political and cultural centres of the ancient Greek world.

333-325 BC: Rule of Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia
All of Cyprus welcomes Alexander the Great as the island becomes part of his empire. Cyprus shipbuilding expertise is vital in readying Alexander’s fleet for conquests in the Near East.

325-58 BC: Hellenistic Period
Following the death of Alexander the Great, his generals vie for succession and Cyprus eventually becomes a province of the Hellenistic state of the Ptolemies of Egypt; for the next two centuries it belongs to the Greek Alexandrine world. The Ptolemies abolish the separate city-kingdoms and unify the island, with the capital at Pafos. The Tombs of the Kings here, date from this time. During this period the Cypriot philosopher Zenon, from Kition (near present-day Larnaka), founds his famous Stoic School in Athens.

58 BC-330 AD: Roman Period
Cyprus becomes a province of the Roman Empire. In 45 AD, St. Paul and St. Barnabas visit Pafos, and when the former converts the Roman proconsul there, Sergius Paulus, to Christianity, he is the first official to accept the new religion. Cyprus becomes the first country to be governed by a Christian. In the first century BC and first century AD there are destructive earthquakes but cities are rebuilt. In 313 the Edict of Milan grants freedom of worship to Christians. In 325, Cypriot bishops attend the Council of Nicaea.

More>>