The History of Cyprus Podcast

For this month's primary source, I've taken some liberty with its recording, turning this very real enlistment ad into a radio spot. However, historically speaking, there was no radio service at the time -- and so this certainly would not have been broadcast in Cyprus. Given the widespread illiteracy at the time, enlistment campaigns such as the one here, would've been read aloud at the local καφενεíο (coffee-house) by the village teacher to any man in earshot to advertise the high rates of pay, food, clothing and relative safety in supporting Great Britain during the First World War. Though many are familiar with Cyprus' participation in the Second World War, its role in the First is less known. Why would Cypriots have enlisted to begin with? And did they indeed face "non-combative roles" as promised? Next month, I welcome back Professor Andrekos Varnava from Flinders University as we discuss one of his latest books, "Serving the Empire in the Great War: The Cypriot Mule Corps, Imperial Loyalty and Silenced Memory."

In the 4th century, a series of powerful earthquakes shook the island of Cyprus, leaving a profound impact on its inhabitants and Kourion in particular. These seismic events not only disrupted daily life but also reshaped the landscape, causing widespread destruction and challenging the resilience of Cypriots. The earthquakes of the 4th century stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who faced and rebuilt their communities in the wake of nature's formidable fury. This month, I speak with the co-director of the Kourion Urban Space Project, Dr. Laura Swantek, as KUSP enters its 14th season at Kourion.

The Sibyls of ancient Greece and Rome were oracles that divined the future by channeling the god, Apollo. Sibyls were considered to be intermediaries between the mortal world and the divine realm, and their pronouncements were highly regarded by the Greeks. Sibyls were often consulted by individuals, city-states, and rulers seeking guidance on important matters such as warfare, politics, and religion. They were believed to possess deep wisdom and knowledge of the future, and their utterances were typically written down and preserved as sacred texts. For this month's primary source, we hear an amalgam of prophesies as they relate to Cyprus -- specifically a series of ominous predictions of earthquakes and floods predating the infamous 4th century earthquake that levelled parts of Cyprus including Kourion. Fitting, as next I interview Laura Swantek, the assistant director of the Kourion Urban Space Project!

Votive practices in Cyprus have long been an integral part of the island's rich cultural and religious traditions. Cypriots have engaged in diverse acts of votive offerings to express gratitude, seek divine favor, or fulfill vows. In ancient Cyprus, votives played a significant role in the worship of various deities. The sanctuaries dedicated to gods and goddesses were adorned with votive objects such as statues, terracotta figurines, and ceramic vessels. If you're looking at a statuette in a museum -- there's a good chance that you're looking at a votive that was once offered to a god/or goddess and was excavated from a temple. These offerings were given as tokens of devotion, seeking blessings, protection, or even healing. This month I welcome Dr. Erin Averett, associate director of the Athienou-Malloura site, to discuss the Votive Tradition in Cyprus.

The Idalion Bilingual inscription comprises a dedication composed in Phoenician and Greek, using the Cypriot syllabic script. This inscription played a crucial role in deciphering the Cypriot syllabic writing system and is often referred to as the equivalent of the 'Rosetta stone' in Cyprus. Despite Idalion being under Phoenician rule at that time, Greek was still widely spoken as it was most certainly a multilingual city. The Idalion Bilingual was discovered in an area within the Sanctuary of Apollo that appears to have been utilized by both Greeks and Phoenicians.  Originally, the stone carrying the inscription would have supported a statue honoring Apollo/Reshep. Though quite a short primary source, the reading offers a look into the traditions of temple dedications as we discuss votives and rural sanctuaries with Dr. Erin Averett next month.

There's a good chance that you might have heard of a recent study published in May 2024 that revises our understanding of when Cyprus was first settled. You can read more on it here: Archaeology Magazine. ...but to borrow a short excerpt from the article, "It had been argued that hunter-gatherers only traveled to inhospitable islands in the eastern Mediterranean because mainland coastal areas were flooded by rising sea levels... [but] modeling indicates that the temperature and rainfall on the island at the time would have been able to support large hunter-gatherer populations."  I've been fortunate to speak with one of the co-authors behind the study, Dr. Dora Moutsiou from the University of Cyprus, who, with her team of colleagues, argue that mathematical modeling can show us that Cyprus was likely settled even earlier than was once previously thought: 14,000 years ago. Join me as I speak with Dora on their recent study/finds and learn more about the earliest settlers on Cyprus!*  Enjoy this BONUS episode and consider becoming a Patron on Patreon where your donations help with the show's production.  *Also check out "The Cliffs of the Eagles: Prehistoric Cyprus with Alan Simmons" for some historical context.

**My apologies on my audio quality for this episode. Working off an old laptop for this particular recording. Early Christianity in Cyprus dates back to the first century AD, when the island was part of the Roman Empire. According to tradition, the apostles Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark traveled to Cyprus to spread the message of Christianity. The island is, of course, mentioned in the New Testament as the birthplace of Barnabas. In the early centuries of Christianity, Cyprus was an important center of Christian activity and played a key role in the spread of the religion in the Eastern Mediterranean (even producing Britain's first bishop -- St. Aristoboulos!). The Island of Saints was home to a number of significant early Christian figures, including St. Epiphanius, the bishop of Salamis, who wrote extensively about Christian theology and doctrine and Cyprus' bishops were active participants in the early Church Councils (such as The Council of Nicaea). While we know that violence erupted between pagans and Christians in cities such as Alexandria, what was the transition in Cyprus like? This month, I discuss The Last Pagans of Cyprus with Professor Georgios Deligiannakis!

If you're listening to this month's Primary Source, you're hearing from the acts of Cyprus' patron saint, St. Barnabas. St. Barnabas was a Cypriot Jew who converted to Christianity and undertook missionary work across the island and beyond. In the Acts of the Apostles, he was accompanied by St. Paul most famously confronting a magician named Elymas, also known as "Bar-Jesus," and converting the Roman proconsul of Cyprus, Sergius Paulus -- that is, until an unknown disagreement where Barnabas and Paul went their separate ways. But this month's Primary Source reading isn't from the Bible. This is from a non-canonical work called the "Apocryphal Acts of St. Barnabas." They are one of many works of early Christianity that were rejected by the early Church Councils. The Acts of Barnabas is believed to have been composed in the 5th or 6th century and describes the missionary activities of Barnabas. The Acts of Barnabas includes stories of his travels to Cyprus, Antioch, and Rome, where he is said to have performed miracles, converted many people to Christianity, and established churches.  In this particular excerpt, we hear of Barnabas' missionary work in Cyprus, specifically in Amathus, where he encounters both pagans and Christian converts. He mentions condemning pagan athletics occurring in the nude outside of Kourion (which are promptly destroyed by an earthquake) and later, condemning a religious ceremony on the Acropolis of Amathus. In Salamis, however, Barnabas is taken and burned at the stake -- his remains were recovered in secret where he was buried with a copy of the Gospel of St. Matthew. These remains were said to have been found in the 5th century which would grant the Church of Cyprus autocephalic status. Next month, I welcome Professor Georgios Deligiannakis to discuss the transformative years of early Christianity: "Holy Men & Heathens: The Last Pagans of Cyprus" 

For this month's episode, I speak with Tassos Papacostas (King's College London) about Cyprus during the Middle Byzantine Period. We touch upon the political and economic changes that characterize the period in addition to the population movement from urban centers to rural ones (focusing on the 10th century settlement of the Troodos region in particular). What precipitated the rise in villages and monasteries that dot the landscape? How did they fare as we transitioned into the Frankish period? We also discuss the architectural markers that are unique to the Painted Churches in the Troodos and how they contrast with typical church architecture on the coastal centers. 

St. Neophytos the Recluse (Άγιος Νεόφυτος ο Έγκλειστος ca. 1134–1214) was a twelfth century Cypriot hermit and saint whose short chronicle, "On the Calamities Against the Country of Cyprus," provides us with an invaluable look into the Third Crusade and, more specifically, its impact on Cyprus which he considers an unmitigated disaster. He is decidedly critical of both the Byzantine usurper, Isaac Comnenus, who "despoiled the land" and King Richard the Lionheart, from "the wretch...from England, a country beyond Romania,"*** and laments Cyprus' loss to the Latins in 1191. Next month, Tassos Papacostas (King's College London) joins me to discuss Cyprus in the Byzantine period with a particular focus on the settlement of the Troodos Region. ***Romania is not a reference to modern day Romania but rather, the Byzantine Empire. Let us not forget that "Byzantine" is an exonym and a misnomer. "Byzantines" would have called themselves Ῥωμαῖοι (Romans) and their land, Ῥωμανία (Romanland).

The roots of the Black Cypriot community can be traced back to different historical periods. Cyprus, being under various foreign dominations, witnessed the movement of people from Africa, particularly through trade routes and often forced migrations. The archaeological record can certainly attest to a Black presence as far back as the Archaic Period (for more on this see "Blacks in Ancient Cypriot Art" by Vassos Karageorghis). However, most Black Cypriots today can trace their origins to the Ottoman Period which has left an indelible mark on their identity. With me this month to discuss the Black experience in Cyprus is published author and freelance artist, Serap Kanay.

According to late Ottoman historian, Ronald C. Jennings, little is known “about the places of origins of Black slaves or free blacks in Ottoman Cyprus except that their presence can be documented by the 1590s in the judicial registers from Nicosia” -- as can be heard in this excerpt. Though a very short Primary Source, it is revealing. As was common practice, they assimilated into the Turkish Cypriot community, adopting Turkish names, embracing Islam and integrating themselves into the community. Next month I interview Serap Kanay who speaks about Cyprus' historic Black Cypriot community, its place and its enduring presence. Here is the text in full: “Raziye ibn Murid of Lefkosa made a claim against a black man named Rukan ibn Adbullah. Rukan has taken possession of 25 olive trees. Raziye has no proof of his claim.  Rukan claims to have bought them from Sumbul Aga 8 years prior. Rukan is invited to take an oath which he does. The Lefkosa judicial register, 17th century."

My guest this month is renowned archaeologist, Eric Cline. You might be familiar with Dr. Cline from his seminal work, "1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed," which was shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize in 2014, in addition to "Three Stones Make a Wall" and "Digging up Armageddon." Eric, in collaboration with renowned illustrator, Glynnis Fawkes*, is releasing 1177 BC as a graphic novel this month to coincide with its 10 year anniversary since its initial release, along with a much anticipated sequel to 1177 called, "After 1177BC: The Survival of Civilizations."** Today, Eric is discussing both 1177 and its sequel -- and Cyprus' pivotal role during the Bronze and Iron ages! * In case you missed my interview with Glynnis, check out Primary Source XXV: 1177 BC: An Interview with Glynnis Fawkes, published on March 15th, 2024. ** You can purchase the Graphic Novel, 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed" from major bookstores or order it from amazon.com by clicking here! And "After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations" here! 

For all Patreon members, you can access my interview on Zeno of Citium with Professor Andrew Erskine (University of Edinburgh) now on Patreon. For as little as $1 a month, your contributions help fund the History of Cyprus Podcast and keep it ad free. Please consider supporting the History of Cyprus Podcast and help build this digital repository of Cypriot history! The History of Cyprus Podcast | Patreon In this episode, Professor Andrew Erskine (University of Edinburgh) delves into the life and legacy of Zeno of Citium, the ancient philosopher whose teachings laid the foundation for the Stoic school of thought. Born in Citium (Kition) Cyprus, Zeno's journey from humble beginnings to philosophical prominence is a testament to the power of resilience and intellectual curiosity. Shipwrecked in Athens, he established his own philosophical school in the Stoa where his students became known as "Stoics." Stoicism had many famous adherents, including of course, Emperor Marcus Aurelius. But Andrew shares with us a lesser known Stoic, Persaeus of Citium, a favourite student of Zeno's, who becomes an influential member in the Macedonian Court. So who was Zeno? What were the tenets of Stoicism? And what impact did Zeno's thought have on the Greco-Roman world? Join us as we explore Zeno's upbringing in Cyprus, his philosophical influences, and the enduring impact of Stoicism on modern thought.

This month's primary source is bit different! Glynnis Fawkes, a highly acclaimed cartoonist and illustrator, has made significant contributions to the field of archaeology by illustrating numerous excavations in the Eastern Mediterranean (and in Cyprus) since 1998. Some of her work is featured in the book, "Cartoons of Cyprus" -- with a wonderful forward from celebrated archaeologist, Vassos Karageorghis.  In addition to her archaeological work, Glynnis has authored several graphic novels and has lent her artistic talents to various books such as "Kinyras the Divine Lyre," "Persephone's Garden" and "the Homeric Hymns." For this Special Episode, Glynnis and I discuss her time in Cyprus as a Fulbright Scholar, her role as an educator, and the publication of the graphic novel edition of Dr. Eric Cline's seminal work, "1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed,*" next month! (in which Cyprus makes a prominent appearance!)  *1177BC can be purchased from major bookstores (e.g., Barnes & Noble in the U.S. or Indigo/Chapters in Canada) or you can order it from amazon.com by clicking here!