SEPTEMBER 1999, page 66

Cyprus: Coping with a Quarter-Century of Separation

Cyprus in History—A Chronology

Neolithic Period: 6th millennium B.C.

Some of the earliest New Stone Age settlements in the world at Khirokitia, Troulli, Erimi, Kalavassos

The Bronze Age: 3rd Millennium B.C.

The use of copper and then bronze made Cyprus a major trading center.

The Iron Age: 2nd Millennium B.C.

Arrival of Mycenaean Greeks and Achaeans. Establishment of city kingdoms throughout Cyprus.

The Archaic Period: 8th to 5th Centuries B.C.

Foreign domination. The Assyrians (8th to 6th centuries B.C.), the Egyptians (560 to 540 B.C.), the Persians (540-332 B.C.)

Classical Period: 499 to 323 B.C.

Athenian general Kimon is killed at Kition (499). Evagoras I, King of Salamis, makes Cyprus one of the leading political and cultural centers of the Greek world (411-374).

Cypriot city kingdoms welcome Alexander the Great (330) and join in the expeditions that take him as far as modern-day India. Zeno of Kition (340-264) becomes founder of the Stoic philosophy.

Hellenistic Period: 323 B.C. to 30 B.C.

After the death of Alexander and breakup of his empire into four parts ruled by his generals, Cyprus becomes part of the Ptolemaic Empire ruled from Egypt.

Roman Empire: 30 B.C. to 330 A.D.

In 1st century A.D. Christianity is introduced by St. Paul and St. Barnabas. The latter is considered the founder of the Church of Cyprus.

Byzantines: 330 to 1191 A.D.

Empress Helena visits Cyprus, a province of the Byzantine Empire, 330.

Arab Invasions: 649 to 965 A.D.

Death in Larnaca in 649 of Umm-Haram, aunt of Prophet Muhammad.

Crusaders: 1191 to 1571 A.D.

Richard I the Lion-Heart (1191). Order of Knights Templar (1191). Lusignans of France (1192-1489). Venetians (1489-1571).

Ottomans: 1571 to 1878 A.D.

Nicosia falls to Ottoman army 1571. Archbishop made responsible for collecting taxes (1574). Archbishop and prominent Cypriots accused of planning to join Greek War of Independence and are executed (1821).

British: 1878 to 1960

Cyprus leased by Turkey to Britain 1878. Cyprus annexed by Britain at outbreak of World War I when Turkey joins Central powers (1914). Cyprus declared a Crown Colony (1925). Cyprus becomes an independent state with Archbishop Makarios elected first president and Dr. Fazil Kuchuk elected vice president (1959).

Independence: 1960 to present

Archbishop Makarios submits proposals to amend constitution (1963). Dr. Kuchuk calls for partition and U.S. warns Turkey against invading Cyprus (1964). Military coup in Greece (1967). Makarios demands withdrawal of Greek officers from Cyprus (1974). Coup against Makarios organized by Greek junta (July 15, 1974). Turkish troops land on Cyprus (July 20, 1974) and occupy 37 percent of island (August 14, 1974). Turkish Federated State of Cyprus declared in area under Turkish military control (1975). Glafcos Clerides elected for first of two terms as president of Republic of Cyprus (1993). U.S. presidential emissary for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, conducts series of meetings with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash (1998).