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This site was last updated on the 4th January 2009

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Click on the following links for more information below: History, Greek Mythology, Language, Map of the island, The climate, The People.
 

History of the Island

Cyprus occupies a strategic location in the Mediterranean sitting between Asia, Africa and Europe. For this reason it has a very colourful history and has been invaded by many nations.

8000BC: The first settlers from Asia Minor arrive.
294BC: Cyprus becomes a province of Egypt under the rule of Ptolemy.
58BC: Invaded and claimed by Rome, Pafos became the capital of the Island.
AD390: Cyprus comes under the Byzantine Empire.
1190: The island becomes the kingdom of Lusignans, a dynasty of the third crusade.
1489: Cyprus is under Venetian rule.
1571: Cyprus is under the Ottoman Empire with many Turkish settlers.
1878: Great Britain take control of Cyprus from Turkey. Of great strategic importance for access to the Middle East and Seuz Canal.
1960: Cyprus becomes an independent state. Archbishop Makarios was the first President.
1964: Civil war between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The Island is divided by the 'Green Line'
1974: 15th July: a coupe organised by the Greek military junta forced President Makarios out of the Island. 20th July: Turkish Troops invaded Cyprus and claimed one third of the Island.
1983:Turkish Cypriots proclaimed the occupied area an independent state, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a claim only recognised by Turkey.
2004: May: (Southern Cyprus, Greek Cypriots) accession to the European Union.
 

Greek Mythology

The stories of Greek Mythology have deeply influenced the Western imagination. Originally, the Greek myths were passed from generation to generation. Religious ritual was entwined with civic life and festivals were held to honour specific gods and goddesses. Beautiful temples were dedicated to particular deities, while oracle interpreted the heavenly signs. The gods and goddesses were described as immortal beings with divine power influencing a span of more than 2000 years. Traditionally, there were 14 gods and goddesses. They all lived on Mount Olympus, except Hades who ruled the underworld. Their roman names are shown in parentheses.

Zeus (Jupiter):                      Head of the gods. God of thunder

Hera (Juno):                         Zeus’s wife and goddess of marriage and childbearing

Poseidon (Neptune):          God of the sea

Hephaestus (Vulcan):        God of fire

Aphrodite (Venus):              Goddess of love

Ares (Mars):                          God of war

Athena (Minerva):                Goddess of wisdom

Appollo (Phoebus):             God of sun

Artemis (Diana):                  Goddess of the moon and the hunt

Hermes (Mercury):              Messenger god and patron of thieves and tricksters

Hades:                                  God of the dead

Demeter (Ceres):                Goddess of the harvest

Dionysis (Bacchus):           God of wine

Hestia (Vesta):                     Goddess of the earth

Pronunciation of some useful Greek words.

Yes:                                        Neh

No:                                          O-hee

Thank you:                            Ef-har-eesto

Please:                                  Parakalo

Hello/goodbye:                     Yassos

Good morning:                     Kal-ee-mera

Good afternoon/evening:   Kal-ees-pera

Good night:                           Kal-ee-neekta

Do you speak English:       Meelat-eh angleeka

What is your name:             Po-se len-eh

My name is:                          Meh len-eh

OK:                                         En-daxi

Excuse me/sorry:                 Seeg-nom-ee

The bill:                                  Toh logaree-azmo

Cheers:                                 Ya-mass

Toilets:                                   Too-al-eh-ta

Water:                                    Nehro

Milk:                                        Ga-la

Bread:                                    Psom-ee

One:                                       Enna

Two:                                       Thee-o

Three:                                    Dree-a

Four:                                       Dessera

Five:                                        Pendah

Six:                                          Eksee

Seven:                                    Efta

Eight:                                      Okto

Nine:                                      Enneh-a

Ten:                                        Theh-ka

Stress letters shown in bold.

Map of the Island

The climate

Cyprus is the warmest area in Europe in the winter. Temperatures rarely fall below 62^oF, with the exception of the Troodos mountains where snow falls (you can ski in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon!). Summers are long, hot and dry with temperatures frequently exceeding 100^oF inland. Spring and Autumn are pleasantly warm and sunny. The sun shines for approximately 340 days per year and from May to September the sun shines for around 11 hours per day.

The People

The majority of Cypriots are of Greek descent. They speak Greek and are mostly Cypriot Orthodox Christians. Those of Turkish descent, a legacy from the Ottoman period, speak Turkish and are mostly Muslims. As a result of the Turkish invasion of 1974, most Greek Cypriots fled the northern part of the island and now live in the south. The island is primarily rural with only two cities having more than 100,000 inhabitants—Nicosia and Limassol. Both Greek and Turkish are official languages and many inhabitants speak English.

Cyprus’ colourful history is reflected in the rich cultural life in Cyprus which is evident in the rural mountain villages. Almost every week there is some sort of celebration or festival. Religious festivals are particularly significant in Cyprus particularly the Greek Orthodox Easter. This is the highlight of the religious year and on Easter Saturday most Cypriots will be found in the church, attending midnight mass. On Easter Sunday families sit down together to eat the traditional roast lamb lunch.

Springtime is also festival time with all the major towns hosting carnival parades. There are flower festivals with parades of flower-covered floats. The largest carnival is in Limassol, with its many floats, parades and other entertainment. Kataklysmos, the festival of the flood, takes place in every town, with open-air fetes, games and competitions.

Cyprus is well known for its wine production and harvest time is time for the wine festivals, the largest being held in Limassol. Every year thousands of visitors go to the festival to enjoy the large range of food and wine on offer