Your Guide to Cyprus [antikvár]

cypjixisTHROIIQHOMT THE AQESBv Dr C S^yridqkisRecent archaeological excavations have brought into light a neolithic civilization in Cyprus that goes as far back as the beginning of the 6th millenium B.C.This is the time when the history of Cyprus begins. Life has been going on, on this island for eight whole milleniums and during this long period of time many events have taken place that have historically left their mark on the life of this island.The position of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean, so very near the two continents ,of Asia and Africa and near enough to the continent of Europe, rendered the island very early in its history, the meeting point of the currents of ideas and influences from East and West. As a result of its geographical position Cyprus could not lead an independent life but always came under the strong neighbouring eountry of the time.Link with MyceaBut let us attempt to trace the history of the island from the beginning. We have already said that the Cyprus history begins with the neolithic period extend-ing over a period of three milleniums, from the 6th to the beginning of the 3rd millenium B.C.The coming of the Mycenean Greeks, who carried their trade and their influence deep inland on either side of the Mediterranean Sea as well as to the North and the South, is the most important event in the long history of this island.It continued ,over a period of time in the second half of the 2nd millenium B.C. and constitutes the first expansion of Greek civilization and ideas to be followed, more than a thousand years later, by a second flooding of the East with Greek ideas and civilizing influences, by Alexander the Great. It was an event of great significance and of unique historical interest that the settlement of the Mycenean Greeks in Cyprus created a cultural and political situation that has survived the centuries to the present day.