Early History

  • 9000 - 3800 BC: First human settlements established at Khirokitia & Cape Andreas
  • 700 BC: Cyprus falls under Assyrian Rule
  • 570 BC: The Egyptian empire takes control of Cyprus
  • 545 BC: Voluntary submission to King Cyrus of Persia
  • 350 BC: Cyprus joins the Greek world. Greek architectural styles are adopted and Greek dress becomes the norm
  • 50 BC: Roman occupation starts. Many great temples, amphitheatres and baths are constructed
  • AD 45: St Paul converts the Roman proconsul Elymas of Paphos from the worship of Aphrodite to Christianity
  • 330: A division in the Roman empire marks the start of the Byzantine era
  • 700 - 1191: Periodic Arab raids of Cyprus
  • 1191: Richard the Lionheart arrives in Limassol, proceeds to capture Cyprus and becomes its effective ruler
  • 1192: Richard's protege Guy of Lusignan is left in control of Cyprus
  • 1192 - 1489: The great cathedrals of Famagusta and Nicosia are constructed
  • 1489 - 1571: Brought in to combat the Genoese contingent in Famagusta, Venetian forces decide to take control of the island themselves
  • 1571: The Turkish Ottoman empire captures Cyprus

Contemporary History - British Rule Starts

  • 1878: Because a victory by Russia in the Russo/Turkish war of 1877-1878 would directly threaten British economic interests, namely the newly built Suez canal, Great Britain in agreement with Turkey, takes control of Cyprus, effectively 'renting' the island for an annual payment of £92.000.
  • 1878 - 1914: Although still 'technically' under Turkish rule, the Cypriot legal and governmental systems are dramatically re-structured by the British High Commissioner and his staff. On more than one occasion, these policy reforms cause varying degrees of outrage with the island's Turkish population.
  • 1914: Turkey allies itself with the Austro/Hungarian empire at the start of World War 1. This action causes Britain to nullify the treaty governing its administration of Cyprus. The island is officially annexed and is now wholly under British rule.
  • 1925: After Turkey finally relinquishes all claims to Cyprus in the treaty of Lausanne (1923), Cyprus officially becomes a British Crown colony.
  • 1939 - 1945: During the war, Cyprus is of varying strategic importance. Cypriot volunteers fight alongside British troops in the allied armed forces. At the end of the war, implied promises for Cypriot independence are denied by the British, causing much resentment with the local populace.
  • 1954: Great Britain once again refuses to grant independence to Cyprus. Calls on the United Nations to intervene are ignored.
  • 1955: At the end of the year, EOKA (The National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters) commences a bloody terrorist campaign against the British and a general state of emergency is declared on the island.
  • 1959: On February 19th of this year, the London Agreement is signed by British, Greek, Turkish and Cypriot leaders, finally guaranteeing independence for Cyprus. The official state of emergency is finally ended on Christmas Eve.
  • 1960: With the declaration of Archbishop Makarios the 3rd as president, August 16th of this year finally sees Cypriot independence. Britain, Greece and Turkey all station troops on the island to ensure its continuing independence. The British Sovereign Base areas of Akrotiri and Dekhelia are retained under complete British control. Cyprus joins the United Nations on September 20th.
  • 1963: On December 21st, inter-communal violence erupts and Turkish Cypriots are forced to retreat into enclaves. Turkish troops move to restore order under provisions of the London Agreement on December 24th.
  • 1964: The United Nations Security Council establishes UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) on March 4th. On March 27th, an UNFICYP taskforce, originally consisting of Irish, Swedish and Canadian troops arrives in Cyprus.
  • 1974: A military coup on July 15th forces president Makarios into exile. EOKA leader Nikos Sampson is set up as new leader and declares a union with Greece. Turkish forces invade the island on July 20th and take control of the Turkish enclaves and surrounding areas. At a meeting of Greek, Turkish and British representatives on July 30th a cease fire is declared. After Greece refuses Turkish demands for a divided Cyprus, Turkey launches a second invasion on August 13th and occupies around 40% of the island. Rauf Denktash is declared leader of Turkish Cyprus. On August 16th, UNFICYP troops establish a buffer zone between Turkish and Greek zones.
  • 1975: On February 13th, the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus is established. (To the present day, this state is only recognised by Turkey) Since the airport at Nicosia is now under UNFICYP control, an airport is constructed by Greek Cypriots at Larnaca and attempts are made to restore the now non-existent tourist industry with an extensive hotel building programme. With the lines between Greek and Turkish Cyprus now clearly drawn, Archbishop Makarios is restored to his presidency on December 7th.
  • 1983: The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is unilaterally proclaimed by Turkey on November 15th. There is still no international recognition for this Republic and UN sponsored talks end in stalemate shortly afterwards.
  • 2004: After some years as an affiliate member of the European Union, Greek Cyprus finally attains full member status on May 1st. Turkish Cyprus is still internationally unrecognised.