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Home / Cyprus History & Historical Chronology
Historical Events & Turning Points from 7000 BC to Present

History of Cyprus — Chronology of Historical Events

Explore 9,000 years of civilization foundations, imperial struggles, the 1571 Ottoman Conquest, the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, and the founding of the TRNC in a chronological timeline of Cyprus, the strategic crossroads of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Chronological Era Progress
1 / 7 Historical Era (%12)
All Historical Eras (7) 1. Ancient & Roman Era (7000 BC – 395 AD) 2. Byzantine, Lusignan & Venetian (395 – 1570) 3. Ottoman Conquest & Waqf Era (1570 – 1878) 4. British Rule, 1974 & TRNC (1878 – Present)
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Chronology Start: 7000 BC Neolithic Age & Copper Age Kingdoms
01
1. First Human Settlements, Discovery of Copper & Kingdom of Alashiya - Kıbrıs Tarihi
M.Ö. 7000 – M.Ö. 1050
Alashiya / Eastern Mediterranean
Prehistoric, Chalcolithic & Bronze Age Era #1

1. First Human Settlements, Discovery of Copper & Kingdom of Alashiya

The arrival of the earliest Neolithic settlers from Anatolia and the Levant, the discovery of vast copper reserves that gave Cyprus its name (Cuprum), and the rise of the Bronze Age Kingdom of Alashiya.

Recorded in Hittite and Egyptian Amarna tablets as "Alashiya", Cyprus became the primary supplier of copper and shipbuilding timber across the ancient Mediterranean world.

Historical Epoch: Neolithic & Bronze Age Konum
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02
2. Alexander the Great, Ptolemaic Rule & The Roman Golden Age - Kıbrıs Tarihi
M.Ö. 333 – M.S. 395
Salamis Ancient Roman City & Amphitheater
Hellenistic Era & Roman Empire Rule Era #2

2. Alexander the Great, Ptolemaic Rule & The Roman Golden Age

Following the Battle of Issus in 333 BC, Cyprus aligned with Alexander the Great, transitioned through Ptolemaic rule, and entered four centuries of Pax Romana prosperity under the Roman Empire.

Under Roman Emperors Augustus and Hadrian, monumental road networks, aqueducts, and the Salamis Ancient Roman City & Amphitheater were constructed across the island.

Historical Epoch: Hellenistic & Roman Era Konum
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03
3. Byzantine Era, First Islamic Naval Expedition (647 AD) & Richard the Lionheart - Kıbrıs Tarihi
M.S. 395 – 1191
Eastern Mediterranean & Northern Coast
Byzantine Rule, Early Islamic Expeditions & Third Crusade Era #3

3. Byzantine Era, First Islamic Naval Expedition (647 AD) & Richard the Lionheart

From the partition of Rome in 395 AD through three centuries of Byzantine-Arab maritime treaties, culminating in King Richard the Lionheart’s capture of the island during the Third Crusade in 1191.

For nearly 300 years, Cyprus was jointly administered under a unique neutrality treaty between the Byzantine Empire and the Umayyad/Abbasid Caliphates before falling to the Crusaders in 1191.

Historical Epoch: Medieval & Crusades Era Konum
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04
4. The Feudal Lusignan Kingdom (1192–1489) & Venetian Fortress Era (1489–1570) - Kıbrıs Tarihi
1192 – 1570
Nicosia & Famagusta
Lusignan Kingdom & Venetian Military Rule Era #4

4. The Feudal Lusignan Kingdom (1192–1489) & Venetian Fortress Era (1489–1570)

Three centuries of French Lusignan feudal monarchy followed by 82 years of Venetian military fortification across Nicosia, Famagusta, and Kyrenia.

While the Lusignans introduced monumental French Gothic architecture, the Venetians later re-engineered Nicosia’s circular 11-bastion walls and Famagusta’s artillery ramparts.

Historical Epoch: Lusignan & Venetian Rule Konum
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05
5. The 1570–1571 Ottoman Conquest & 308 Years of Waqf Civilization - Kıbrıs Tarihi
1570 – 1878
Buyuk Han (The Great Inn) & Selimiye Complex
1571 Ottoman Conquest & Waqf Civilization Era Era #5

5. The 1570–1571 Ottoman Conquest & 308 Years of Waqf Civilization

Commanded by Lala Mustafa Pasha under Sultan Selim II, the 1570–1571 Ottoman campaign abolished feudal serfdom, established religious freedom, settled Turkish families from Anatolia, and ushered in 308 years of Ottoman administration.

Ottoman rule immediately ended feudal serfdom, granted land ownership and religious autonomy to the local population, settled skilled Turkish families from central and southern Anatolia, and built enduring Waqf landmarks.

Historical Epoch: 308 Years of Ottoman Rule Konum
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06
6. 1878 British Administration, Turkish Cypriot Struggle & The 1960 Partnership Republic - Kıbrıs Tarihi
1878 – 1960
Nicosia / Island-Wide
British Administration, National Struggle & 1960 Republic Era #6

6. 1878 British Administration, Turkish Cypriot Struggle & The 1960 Partnership Republic

From the 1878 Cyprus Convention transferring administration to Britain, through the Turkish Cypriot community’s resistance for equal rights under Dr. Fazil Kucuk and Rauf Denktas, to the 1959–1960 Zurich and London Agreements.

Anchored by the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee signed by Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Greece, the bi-communal Republic of Cyprus was established on the principle of political equality between Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

Historical Epoch: Modern Era & 1960 Treaties Konum
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07
7. The 1963–1974 Struggle, 1974 Peace Operation & Proclamation of the TRNC (1983) - Kıbrıs Tarihi
1963 – 1983 ve Günümüz
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
1963 Resistance, 1974 Peace Operation & Founding of TRNC Era #7

7. The 1963–1974 Struggle, 1974 Peace Operation & Proclamation of the TRNC (1983)

Following the 1963 constitutional breakdown and 11 years of enclave resistance, Turkey exercised its Treaty of Guarantee rights on 20 July 1974, restoring peace and leading to the proclamation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on 15 November 1983.

Since 1974, Northern Cyprus has enjoyed uninterrupted peace and stability, culminating in the unanimous declaration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on 15 November 1983 under Founding President Rauf Raif Denktas.

Historical Epoch: Independent TRNC Era Konum
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17 Historical & Tourist Places to Visit in Cyprus

Experience the Castles, Ancient Cities & Museums You Read About in Person

Explore 17 travel stops including Kyrenia Castle, Bellapais, Salamis, Othello Castle, Varosha, and Mavi Kosk on our interactive driving route.

Where to Go? (17 Places to Visit) Rent a Car Now