Cyprus Kingdom history overview with rulers

Cyprus has a long and varied history, marked by the rule of numerous kingdoms, empires, and powers over the centuries. Here's an overview of Cyprus's kingdom history along with some notable rulers: 1. **Ancient Period**: - Cyprus has been inhabited since ancient times, with evidence of human presence dating back to the Neolithic period. - In antiquity, Cyprus was ruled by various ancient civilizations, including the Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, and Greeks. It was known for its strategic location and valuable resources, particularly copper. 2. **Hellenistic and Roman Rule: - Cyprus came under Hellenistic rule following the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE. It was subsequently ruled by the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. - In 58 BCE, Cyprus was annexed by the Roman Republic and later became a province of the Roman Empire. It remained under Roman rule until the establishment of the Byzantine Empire. 3. **Byzantine Rule**: - Cyprus became part of the Byzantine Empire in the 4th century CE after the division of the Roman Empire. It remained under Byzantine rule for nearly eight centuries. - Notable Byzantine rulers of Cyprus include Emperor Justinian I, who fortified the island's defenses, and Emperor Heraclius, who successfully defended Cyprus against Arab invasions in the 7th century. 4. **Crusader Kingdom of Cyprus**: - In the late 12th century, Cyprus was conquered by the Crusaders during the Third Crusade. Richard the Lionheart of England sold the island to the Knights Templar, who later transferred it to Guy de Lusignan, a French nobleman. - The Lusignan dynasty ruled Cyprus from 1192 to 1489, establishing a Crusader kingdom with its capital at Nicosia. The Lusignan kings promoted French culture and Catholicism on the island. - Notable rulers of the Lusignan dynasty include King Peter I, who expanded Cyprus's territory, and Queen Catherine Cornaro, the last monarch of Cyprus who ceded the island to Venice in 1489. 5. **Venetian Rule**: - Cyprus came under Venetian rule in 1489 after Catherine Cornaro's abdication. Venice administered Cyprus as a colony until 1571. - The Venetians fortified Cyprus's coastal cities and defended the island against Ottoman attacks. However, they faced increasing pressure from the Ottoman Empire. 6. **Ottoman Rule**: - In 1571, the Ottoman Empire conquered Cyprus after a prolonged siege of Famagusta. Cyprus became a province of the Ottoman Empire and remained under Ottoman rule for nearly three centuries. - Ottoman rule saw significant demographic changes and the conversion of the island's population to Islam. Cyprus became part of the Ottoman administrative system, with its Greek Orthodox Church retaining some autonomy. 7. **British Rule and Independence**: - Cyprus came under British administration in 1878 as a result of the Cyprus Convention. It remained a British colony until 1960 when it gained independence. - Notable figures in Cyprus's struggle for independence include Archbishop Makarios III, who became the first president of independent Cyprus, and Rauf Denktaş, a Turkish Cypriot leader who advocated for the partition of the island. While Cyprus has a rich history of kingdoms and rulers, its modern history has been shaped by its complex ethnic and political divisions, particularly between its Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.