History of Cyprus

Panagia tis Kyras, one of the very
few churches that have survived
from the Early-Christian period in
Cyprus, is located near Sazlıköy/
Livadia (Trikomo). This church was
considered as an important religious
center throughout the ages due to
its healing water and the miraculous
mosaic icon of the Virgin Mary.
Every year, on September 8, the
panagyris of the Virgin Mary used to
be celebrated with the participation
of the surrounding Muslim people.
After the ethnic conflicts in the
1950s, the church lost its importance
and function and eventually
was abandoned. It suffered from
continuous decay, theft, and
violation during the post-war
period. A conservation project was
recently carried out by the Technical
Committee on Bi-communal
Cultural Heritage and the United
Nations Development Program.
The aim of this article is to draw
the attention of the general public
to Panagia tis Kyras as an important
monument for the history and
the religious life of Cyprus and to raise
awareness about the preservation of
cultural heritage and to contribute
to the process of building trust
between the two communities.

In March 2022, the Laboratory for Black Sea and Mediterranean Studies (Faculty of Political and Economic Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) and the School of Law of the University of Nicosia announced their new partnership for the operation of the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Review (BSEMR). The BSEMR is an open access peer reviewed e-journal focusing on the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean (BSEM)and it is the first of this kind. It aims to publish and promote original research pertinent to the BSEM on a cross-section of disciplines, including politics and international relations, history, social and economic issues, energy, sustainable development, governance, culture, media and education.

From December 1963 to August 1974, Cyprus was gripped by on-and-off again political violence, involving Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, and Greek and Turkish forces, which led to many casualties and the forced geographical separation (i.e. partition) of the population owing to ethnic-cleansing. The mass violence is usually classified as an example of post-British/post-imperial violence and partition, with the replacement of the British by the Americans from 1964, thus it has also been seen through the prism of the Cold War. This paper builds on this research by adding an additional dimension, by viewing these events as also being an example of late post-Ottoman mass violence. It starts by focussing on the British colonial period to establish the post-Ottoman characteristics that evolved, before showing how many of these lingered and were at the heart of the mass violence from 1963-1974.

This study aims to sketch out the human capital and population structure of Cyprus, in the first half of the nineteenth century and analyse it in a histori-cal demographic context. For this practice, the level of “quantitative literacy”, which is accepted as a proxy variable of human capital, is used. The existing academic literature indicates that people of different religious affiliations were socially intermingled, and they possessed a common social structure on the Island. Relying on the assumption that social interaction between people of different religions would ultimately end up with convergence in human capi-tal; our article aims to test the mentioned argument in the literature within the framework of human capital using numerical sources and methodology. For this purpose, our study uses the “age heaping” method and “ABCC index” which has been widely used in economic history literature. As for numerical sources, we extracted the dataset from the “Population Register of Lefkoşa” which was held by the government of the time in 1843. The census includes the individuals’ names (of both Muslim and Christian separately), their repu-tation, physical characteristics, ages, occupations, and the number of sons in Lefkoşa. Our numerical analysis shows that there was no significant gap be-tween Muslims and non-Muslims in terms of human capital. This verifies the idea that social homogeneity between different groups had already been achieved in Cyprus before British sovereignty.

Żydzi na Cyprze pojawili się już w okresie ptolemejskim (IV w. p.n.e.). W okresie późniejszym Rzym wspierał migracje Żydów na wyspę, którzy szczególnie w czasach cesarza Augusta stali się widoczną mniejszością na Cyprze. Żydzi do tego stopnia upodobali sobie kosmopolityczny charakter wyspy, że powstały daleko idące plany stworzenia państwa żydowskiego na Cyprze. Plany te zbiegły się z prześladowaniami wyznawców judaizmu, które przetoczyły się przez Europę Zachodnią od końca XV wieku (a zwłaszcza w Hiszpanii, Portugalii oraz w Italii). Twórcą pomysłu stworzenia na Cyprze enklawy dla społeczności żydowskiej był pochodzący z Portugalii bankier Józef Nasi lub Miques (1524–1579), powszechnie znany również jako Wielki Żyd. W celu zrealizowania swoich planów przekonał on sułtana osmańskiego Selima II do zajęcia Cypru, który od 1489 roku pozostawał w rękach Wenecjan. Równocześnie Żydzi aktywnie wspierali Imperium Osmańskie w kampanii przeciwko Wenecjanom. Osmanowie opanowali Cypr w 1571 rok...

Professor Andrekos Varnava for the folk behind Bαhçές speaking and answering questions on life in Cyprus under British rule. Visit and subscribe to Bαhçές here for more webinars on the histories of Cyprus. https://www.youtube.com/@historiesofcyprus

This article responds to the diversity of opinions surrounding the reasons for Arsenius's appointment as the teacher of the future emperors Arcadius and Honorius, his life and status in the palace, and the length of his duties. By reexamining corresponding sources and expanding evidence to include the texts never before used for this purpose, this article argues that Arsenius was expected to provide the two princes with traditional paideia combined with Christian faith and offers new observations on the duration of his teaching appointment and the chronology of his life in general.

This voluminous work (1024 pages) is the author's doctoral thesis, the fruit of many years of study and research of the relevant sources, which he submitted in 2022 to the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and was approved with an excellent unanimous vote. The publication includes a Greeting by His Beatitude Archbishop of Cyprus Mr. Georgios I and a Foreword by His Eminence Metropolitan Morphou Mr. Neophytos, followed by a Foreword and an extensive scientific Introduction by the author.

Şimdi, uçuş sırasında pilotların kokpitte namaz kılmasına onay çıktı. Düzenleme, Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğünün oluruyla 24 Ağustos’ta yürürlüğe girdi . Fakat İslam’ın “akıl ve mantık dini” olması hasebiyle, “seferin kritik aşamaları hariç” diye ilave edildi. Kıble meselesini boşverin, bu “kritik aşamalar” sırasında pilotların kazaya bırakmaları mümkün. Uçak kazasını değil tabii, kılınamayan namazın kazasını.

https://www.agos.com.tr/tr/yazi/29057/ucagi-kazaya-birakmak-mi-namazi-kazaya-birakmak-mi
https://artigercek.com/makale/ucagi-kazaya-birakmak-mi-namazi-kazaya-birakmak-mi-263508

History teachers in multicultural societies are increasingly responsible for facilitating students’ awareness of and understanding of multiple accounts of the same, or related past events. The primary goal of the Historical Account Differences questionnaire is to help history teachers assess their own students’ beliefs about why accounts can differ, and the effectiveness of lessons and units aimed at developing students’ epistemological conceptions about such accounts. The theoretical underpinnings, design and validation of the questionnaire are discussed. As part of the validation, responses were provided by 899 Canadian students from 8th grade through postsecondary studies. Findings failed to support the hypothesis of strict stage-like progression in students’ conceptions claimed by the developmental theory on which the instrument was based. However, other claims implicit in the theory were supported. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

The article, provides a comparative and systemic approach to the institution of the Attorney-General and the Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus, in the light of recent discussion about possible reforms of an institution that has been especially important since the colonial era.

After  setting the historical and constitutional context, Professor Hatzimihail breaks down the various functions served by the institution, distinguishing between the hard and soft power of the institution. Drawing from commensurable legal systems, Hatzimihail explores reform ideas regarding the internal organisation/reorganisation of the state's legal representation system; the selection and appointment process, and tenure, of Attorney-General and Assistant Attorney-General; and possible mechanisms for control and review of the Office's exercise of its powers. Underlying the article is an emphasis on institutional balances, review and transparency. As noted, a sober discussion is needed to avoid deconstruction or cosmetic interventions and achieve effective reform.

Γιάννης Δημητρακάκης, «Η παρουσία της γαλλικής ρωμαιοκαθολικής διανόησης στο περιοδικό Ελληνικά Γράμματα», στο Βασίλης Μακρυδήμας (εισαγωγή – επιμέλεια), Η διασταύρωση της θρησκείας με τη λογοτεχνία, Πρακτικά Επιστημονικού Συνεδρίου, 18-19 Νοεμβρίου 2022, Τμήμα Φιλολογίας Πανεπιστημίου Ιωαννίνων, Τομέας Μεσαιωνικής και Νέας Ελληνικής Φιλολογίας, Ιωάννινα 2023, σ. 173-195.

The Ottoman conquest (1570–71) changed the social, economic and cultural structure on Cyprus. It created a novel society consisting of Muslims and non-Muslims (zimmis or reaya), and led to a taxation system that reflected the evolution of the central administration’s financial needs. Based on Ottoman financial and judicial sources, this article examines an important element in early Ottoman Cypriot society, namely the parici of the Venetian era, known as barık (or parik, parikoz) during the first century of the Ottoman regime. In doing so, the article seeks to highlight one aspect of the fiscal transformation and reconstruction of society in Ottoman Cyprus.

Review of: Edgar Peltenburg, Diane Bolger, Lindy Crewe (Edd.): Figurine Makers of Prehistoric Cyprus. Settlement and Cemeteries at Souskiou: Oxford/Philadelphia: Oxbow 2019.

The actual published data is crucial for topics such as early burial practices, ritual spaces and paraphernalia, as well as imports and local cultural changes in relation to Cyprus’ insularity, which will ultimately help to invalidate the assumption of various cultural ruptures or phases of isolation said to have taken place during the Cypriot prehistory.

Πτυχές της ιστορίας του Ελληνικού Γυμνασίου Σολέας, 1919-1960, όπως αναδεικνύονται μέσα από το αρχειακό υλικό του Σχολείου. Η διάλεξη αποτελεί μέρος των πορισμάτνω του ερευνητικού προγράμματος συγκρότησης του "Αρχείου Ιστορίας Ελληνικής Κυπριακής Εκπαίδευσης, 1800-σήμερα" που εκπονείται στο Κέντρο Επιστημονικών Ερευνών.

Με αφορμή την επέτειο της 28ης Οκτωβρίου 1940 η διάλεξη θα εξετάσει τους τρόπους με τους οποίους η περίοδος του Β Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου επηρέασε την Κύπρο. Αρχικά γίνεται αναφορά στην προσφορά των Κυπρίων εθελοντών στον πόλεμο. Στη συνέχεια, εξετάζεται ο τρόπος με τον οποίο η είσοδος της Ελλάδας στον πόλεμο επηρέασε τις πολιτικές εξελίξεις καθώς και την πορεία του ενωτικού κινήματος στην Κύπρο. Όπως θα καταδειχθεί, η περίοδος του πολέμου άλλαξε τόσο τα πολιτικά δεδομένα στην Κύπρο όσο και τη σχέση Βρετανών και Ελλήνων Κυπρίων και προετοίμασε το έδαφος για τις εξελίξεις της δεκαετίας του 1950.
Το ηχητικό της διάλεξης εδώ: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1123577/5993128-h

Η διάλεξη εξετάζει την πολύπλευρη δράση μίας κορυφαίας φυσιογνωμίας της νεότερης Ιστορίας της Κύπρου, του Mητροπολίτη Πάφου, Τοποτηρητή του Αρχιεπισκοπικού θρόνου, Λεοντίου στο Δεύτερο Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο.  Ο Λεόντιος απετέλεσε την κορυφαία μορφή του εθνικού αγώνα των Ελλήνων Κυπρίων για ένωση με την Ελλάδα κατά τη δύσκολη περίοδο της Παλμεροκρατίας (1933-1939) και του Δευτέρου Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου (1939-1945). Ανάμεσα σε άλλα πρωτοστάτησε στη διεξαγωγή εθνικών εράνων για την ενίσχυση της Ελλάδας ενώ μερίμνησε για τη φιλοξενία μερικών χιλιάδων Ελλήνων προσφύγων που κατέφυγαν στην Κύπρο από τα νησιά του Βορειοανατολικού Αιγαίου.  Η παρουσίαση επικεντρώνεται ιδιαίτερα στην προσπάθειά του να καλέσει εθελοντές για κατάταξη όχι στις βρετανικές δυνάμεις του Κυπριακού Συντάγματος αλλά στις δυνάμεις του Ελληνικού Στρατού ενώ εξετάζει και τη βρετανική αντίδραση. Η διάλεξη συμπληρώνει την έκθεση «1940: Πρόσωπα και Εικόνες. Κύπρος – Ελλάδα» η οποία φιλοξενείται στο Πολιτιστικό Ίδρυμα της Τράπεζας Κύπρου μέχρι τα τέλη Ιουνίου 2020.
Ακούστε το ηχητικό εδώ: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1123577/4039838-

O Δεύτερος Παγκόσμιος Πόλεμος αποτελεί μία από τις πιο ενδιαφέρουσες περιόδους της νεότερης ιστορίας του τόπου μας. Ο Πόλεμος μετέβαλε άρδην τα δεδομένα του Κυπριακού Ζητήματος και δημιούργησε τις προϋποθέσεις οι οποίες, μαζί με άλλες εξελίξεις, οδήγησαν κατά τη δεκαετία του 1950 στο ξέσπασμα του απελευθερωτικού αγώνα της ΕΟΚΑ. Η διάλεξη θα επικεντρωθεί στη βρετανική πολιτική στην Κύπρο κατά την περίοδο 1939-1945. Θα αναλυθούν οι τρόποι με τους οποίους η συμβολή των Κυπρίων στον Πόλεμο επηρέασε τη στάση των Βρετανών στα πολιτικά πράγματα του τόπου κατά τη διάρκεια του Πολέμου. Κεντρικό ζήτημα αποτελεί η αναβίωση του ενωτικού κινήματος, μετά την είσοδο της Ελλάδας στον Πόλεμο, στις 28 Οκτωβρίου 1940. Η διάλεξη συμπληρώνει την έκθεση «1940: Πρόσωπα και Εικόνες. Κύπρος – Ελλάδα» η οποία φιλοξενείται στο Πολιτιστικό Ίδρυμα της Τράπεζας Κύπρου μέχρι τα τέλη Ιουνίου 2020.
Πρόσβαση στο ηχητικό εδώ:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1123577/3946790-

La conquista de Chipre por parte de Ricardo Corazón de León durante la III Cruzada supuso la primera pérdida de territorios que el Imperio Bizantino sufrió como consecuencia de los peregrinajes cruzados de los occidentales, constituyendo un claro antecedente de la toma de Constantinopla por los latinos en 1204. En este trabajo analizamos el proceso que siguió el establecimiento del poder latino sobre la isla y las causas por las que el Chipre de la dinastía Lusignan se convirtió el reino franco más longevo del Mediterráneo oriental.

The conquest of Cyprus by Richard the Lionheart in the 3rd Crusade was the first loss of territories suffered by the Byzantine Empire as a result of the occidental crusading pilgrimages. This supposed the direct precedent of the latin conquest of Constantinople in 1204. In this paper we analyze how the Latin power was established in the island and the reasons why Cyprus became the most long-lived latin Kingdom of the East Mediterranean.

In September 1958 Archbishop Makarios, the Greek Cypriot leader, told Barbara Castle, the then Chairperson of the British Labour Party, that, after three-and-a-half years of violence from EOKA to achieve the union of Cyprus with Greece (enosis), he now supported a brief period of self-government, followed by the independence of Cyprus. He agreed to set aside enosis unless it was support in the UN in the future. This led to independence and Makarios is considered ‘the father’ of Cypriot independence. But little has been said about the idea of independence beforehand, about the opposition to it from EOKA, or about others who proposed independence from 1954. This article focusses on the role and proposals of Jason Loukianou, a prominent Cypriot in London, which have not been previously discussed. It proposes a revision to the idea that Makarios was ‘the father’ of Cypriot independence.

This dissertation examines the inter-communal relationships between Orthodox Christian Greek Cypriots and Muslim Turkish Cypriots from1860 to 1931. The study aims to shed light on a history of coexistence on the island of Cy- prus. The main goal of this dissertation is to present an inclusive bi-communal narrative and to ask new questions about the national identity construction processes of the two communities living together. The chronological timeline of the thesis is started with the Ottoman inspection on the island in 1860 and is completed with the rebellion in 1931. The study intends to start from 1860, in other words, before the administration of the island was passed to the British, and end with the 1931 rebellion because it was necessary to take a date after 1923 in order to see the effects of the establishment of the new Turkish Republic of Turkey and its aftermath on Cyprus. Further, it examines the identity formation processes of Cypriots using "ambivalence" while constructing a common historical narrative by examining the daily lives of Cypriots and their inter-communal relationships. Based on Ottoman and British sources, this study explores the socio-political life of Orthodox Christian Greek Cypriots and Muslim Turkish Cypriots during the late Ottoman period and under British colonial rule.

The present paper seeks to examine the security aspect of a post-settlement Federal Cyprus. Among other things, the paper assesses the current external security environment of Cyprus in order to identify and prioritize certain security challenges, and analyses four security areas that may pose threats or challenges to the external relations or domestic stability of post-settlement Cyprus. It is argued that a secure and politically stable Federal Cyprus will first and foremost need a reliable political system with functioning decision-making mechanisms in order to pursue a coherent and effective foreign and security policy without crisis-producing deadlocks; the very political system will be its best “guarantor”. Lastly, targeted actions, a number of which are proposed, should be undertaken as soon as possible for the development of a federal security culture – i.e. convergence of communal interests and preferences – which will allow for joint strategic formulation and the developmen...

The topic of this conference is the production of scented materials (“perfumes”) in the ancient world from multiple perspectives: historical, archaeological, natural scientific, artisanal, cultural, religious. We intend the temporal scope of “ancient” to be fuzzy. The central question of the conference is this: how do we, and how should we, describe and trace the ways perfumes were made within and across cultures of the ancient world?

See flier for more details.

Important Dates
Submission Deadline: 30 August 2023
Reviewers' Decision: 7 September 2023
Arrival and Registration: 6 November 2023
Conference: 7–8 November 2023

The ability to capture and model the physical attributes of a building is becoming increasingly easy, accurate and cost-effective. What is often overlooked however is the “poetics” of digitally reconstructed space derived from its “intangible heritage”. A medieval church, for example, was a meeting place for both the spiritual and rational, the social and the technological, the political and the prestigious. The building embodied the priorities of theologians, architects, masons, politicians, engineers, artists, composers and of course believers. Their interiors, accordingly, were places of colour, sound, smell and of the myriad intangible residues of thought, contemplation, emotion and prayer. Modelling such spaces then cannot just be about capturing the volumetric qualities of the building while stripping away, or failing to embrace, complimentary data pertaining to the nuances of aesthetics and lived experience. Using the medieval church of St. Anne’s in Famagusta to illustrate this point, this article speculates on how much of this intangible heritage can be captured and reconstructed in a digital model (or within the space itself) and asks what diverse scholarship needs to be drawn upon so that such models may evolve towards a semblance of the “mood” within an academically valid experience. This article therefore should be seen as a logical and natural extension of the discussion presented in “Heritage Visualisation and Potential speculative Reconstructions in Digital Space: The Medieval Church of St. Anne in Famagusta, Cyprus” by the author and Rachele Bernardello, which itself followed from a paper presented at the 3rd International Conference on Documentation, Conservation and Restoration of the Architectural Heritage and Landscape Protection, entitled “Emergency Conservation of Medieval Murals in Northern Cyprus: St. Anne’s Church, Famagusta”, also by the author and Werner Schmid.