The History of Cyprus Podcast

Merry Christmas! 'Tis the season to light your fireplaces and put out your colanders -- the 12 Days of Christmas are here! And of course you know, that means those pesky Kalikantzari (Christmas goblins) are back again, sowing mischief and cruel tricks. But it's not all bad news. Minos Papas' latest feature film* is making its rounds globally and featuring at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. I had the opportunity to screen...

Material culture-textiles, ceramics, furniture, even the games people played-offers us a window into the lived experience of a diverse society. From the magnificence of the Lusignan court, with its gold-threaded tapestries and Venetian clocks, to the humble cooking vessels of the lower classes, these artifacts reveal not only economic and social divides but also cultural exchanges that blurred the lines between Greek, Latin, and ne...

To begin with, I'd like to draw your attention to the music in this primary source. It is called J. II. 9 (Turin Codex) also known as the Cyprus Codex, an anonymous manuscript created at the Nicosia court in the early 15th century during the Frankish rule of Cyprus under the Lusignan Dynasty. It is the only known source of Western music from the region and one of the rare exclusively French codices from that era. In other words, yo...

The history of Armenians in Cyprus is traced back to centuries, shaped by waves of migration, resilience, and cultural contributions. In this episode, I sit down with Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra to explore the deep-rooted history of Armenian Cypriots, from their earliest presence on the island to their pivotal role in modern Cypriot society. We discuss their arrival and establishment in Cyprus and how they maintained their distinct...

The legal status of women in medieval Cyprus was influenced by a mix of Byzantine, Frankish, and local customs. While legal frameworks varied, women often faced limitations on property ownership and inheritance rights. However, some women managed to attain positions of influence and power, challenging traditional norms. Despite societal constraints, women in medieval Cyprus demonstrated resilience, resourcefulness, and ad...

Stefano Lusignan (also known as Étienne de Lusignan) was a member of the Lusignan family, which ruled over Cyprus during the medieval period. He is known for his historical works, particularly his chronicles that provide valuable insights into the history and culture of Cyprus during his time. Though writing at the tail end of the Venetian Period, his writings often focused on the Lusignan dynasty and its rule over the island. His ...

In this episode, we explore the fascinating history of the Kigalas family, a prominent Cypriot family that played a significant role in the religious and intellectual landscape of the 16th and 17th centuries. My guest, Ioannis Kyriakantonakis, provides an in-depth look at the political and religious dynamics of the Kigalas family. At the heart of our discussion is Matthaios Kigalas, a highly influential Orthodox cleric and scholar ...

"The Charites of Cyprus infused him with charm, With the tongue of Homer and the mind of Plato. -A distich from Ioannis Kigalas' portrait Ioannis Kigalas (Greek: Ιωάννης Κιγάλας; Italian: Giovanni Cigala, c. 1622 – c. 5 November 1687) was a Cypriot scholar and professor of Philosophy, Language and Logic at the University of Padua. Along with his brothers, Demetrios and Hilarion, they were educated at the Greek College of Rome, eac...

Cyprus' landscape is dotted with castles -- most famously by those nestled on the Kyrenia mountain range -- many which predate the Lusignan Period. First built by the Byzantines to protect Cyprus' northern coast, these castles would become fortified and expanded by the Franks. But Western sources circa twelfth and thirteenth centuries speak of castles throughout the main cities including "castrum Famagustam," "castellum quod dicitu...

Our primary source this month comes from the 12th century English chronicler, Roger of Hoveden (Howden). This excerpt was chosen as it references a number of castles that dotted the Cypriot landscape during Richard the Lionheart's campaign. You'll hear him refer to Buffavent (Buffavento), Kantara, Dieu D'Amour (a possible corruption of the Greek name, Didymus -- now St. Hilarion) and an unknown castle in Nicosia called Cherin. Its ...

In this bonus episode, Dr. Christian Körner takes us into the world of Iron Age Cyprus and its city-kingdoms, exploring the foundation myths that shaped their identities. With legendary figures like Pygmalion, who fashioned a statue that came to life; Myrrha, the tragic mother of Adonis; and Teucer, the exiled half-brother of Ajax who is said to have founded Salamis. Other examples include Acamas, son of Theseus, who was linked to ...

Calocaerus (Greek: Καλόκαιρος; d. 334 AD) was a Roman usurper who led a short-lived revolt against Emperor Constantine I in Cyprus. Appointed in 330 AD as Magister pecoris camelorum ("Master of the Flock and Camels"), a position with uncertain significance, Calocaerus proclaimed himself emperor in 334 AD. His rebellion, however, was swiftly suppressed by Flavius Dalmatius, Constantine's half-brother, and he was executed in Tarsus. ...

The Calocaerus Revolt (334 CE) was an uprising led by a certain Calocaerus, the Magister Pecoris Camelorum (Master of the Flock and Camels) in Cyprus, who declared himself emperor. The revolt was short lived and ruthlessly suppressed in the same year by Flavius Dalmatius, half brother to Emperor Constantine I. We know of the events from historians such as St. Jerome (Jerome of Stridon), St. Theophanes the Confessor and (our earlies...

The history of archaeology in Cyprus started with a focus on collecting ancient objects, which influenced how archaeology was done on the island into the 1900s. In the 1800s and 1900s, foreign expeditions came to Cyprus to dig up artifacts, but this also led to illegal digging and private collections, both on the island and in the West. My guest this month, Luca Bombardieri (Director of the Erimi Archaeological Project in Cyprus) l...

Giovanni Mariti (1736–1806) was an Italian traveler best known for his detailed accounts of the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly Cyprus, during the 18th century. Born in Florence, Mariti served as an official in the service of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and his travels provided him with firsthand insights into the social, political, and economic life of the regions he visited. He stayed in Cyprus for seven years and served as a...

The Bouliler brothers are emblematic figures of banditry amidst a backdrop of economic struggle and social change. Hasan Bulli, a Turkish Cypriot from Paphos, became a legendary folk hero in Cyprus in the late 19th century. Often compared to American outlaws like Jesse James, he gained notoriety for his bold actions and was remembered through songs and tales long after his death. His life changed after his love for Emete, his uncle...

Hasan Bulli is a significant figure in the history of Cyprus. A notorious bandit who roamed the island’s rural landscape in the late 19th century, he became something of a folk hero--often compared to Jesse James. His daring deeds and the stories surrounding his gang became the stuff of legend in Cypriot folklore. Turkish Cypriot poet Hafız Cemaleddin immortalized them in a poem titled Cyprus Bandit under the British Rule published...