Everything Everywhere Daily – Cyprus

Host: Gary Arndt
Date: August 22, 2025

Overview

This episode of Everything Everywhere Daily, hosted by Gary Arndt, delves into the rich and tumultuous history of Cyprus—an island positioned at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Gary explores how its geography has made it a prize and a battleground for countless civilizations, from ancient times right up to the complex status quo of the 21st century. The episode covers everything from prehistoric settlement, cultural evolutions, foreign domination, and conflict, to modern-day divisions, providing a sweeping but accessible account for the intellectually curious listener.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Geographical Significance and Early Settlement

• Location: Cyprus’s strategic placement in the eastern Mediterranean has made it pivotal throughout history.
• First Inhabitants: Human settlement dates back to 10,000 BC, likely by hunter-gatherers from Anatolia (modern-day Turkey).
• Extinction of Unique Species:

  “They appear to have driven the island's endemic pygmy hippopotamus and elephants to extinction through hunting. And this was one of the great tragedies of the world because we no longer have hippos and elephants that are the size of large dogs, which would have been really awesome to have as pets.” — Gary Arndt [05:45]

2. Neolithic and Bronze Age Cultures

• Neolithic Transformation (c. 8200 BC):
  • Society developed at Choirokoitia—distinctive roundhouses, advanced tools, and unique long pottery-free era.
  • Pottery arrives c. 5500 BC with new settlers.
• Copper Working (c. 3000 BC):
  • The island’s rich copper reserves gave Cyprus its name (from Greek “kypros”).
  • Became a major Bronze Age trading power:

    “The demand for Cypriot copper reached as far as Sardinia in the west and Mesopotamia in the east, establishing trade relationships that would persist for thousands of years.” [07:30]

• Bronze Age “Golden Age” (1600–1050 BC):
  • Civilization emerged blending indigenous, Minoan, and Mycenaean Greek influences.

3. City Kingdoms and Imperial Successions

• City Kingdom System (1050–480 BC):
  • Ten kingdoms including Salamis, Paphos, and Kitian controlled local territories.
• Dealing with Empires:
  • Paid tribute to Assyria, Babylon, and Persia, while retaining internal autonomy.

  • “When the Assyrian Empire expanded westward in the 8th century BC the Cypriot kings chose submission over destruction, agreeing to pay tribute while maintaining their internal autonomy.” [10:45]

• Persian to Hellenistic Rule:
  • Cultural tensions between Greek traditions and political subordination to Persia.

4. Greek and Roman Cyprus

• Alexander the Great (333 BC):
  • Cypriot kings quickly switched loyalty from Persia to Macedonia.
• Ptolemaic (Egyptian Greek) Rule:
  • Cities like Paphos flourished; artistic achievements like mosaics.
• Roman Annexation (58 BC):
  • Became a Roman senatorial province.
  • Early Christianization:

    “Christianity arrived early in Cyprus, brought by the apostles Paul and Barnabas around the year 45 during their first missionary journey... making Cyprus one of the first territories with a Christian governor.” [14:30]

5. Byzantine, Arab, and Crusader Cyprus

• Byzantine Era:

  • Gradual transition as Roman Empire shifted center eastward.

• Arab Raids and Condominium (649–965):

  • Island jointly administered by Byzantines and Umayyad Caliphate.

  • “This arrangement, which lasted from 688 to 965, required Cyprus to pay tribute to both powers while maintaining internal autonomy under a Byzantine governor.” [16:10]

• Crusader Takeover (1191):

  • Richard the Lionheart captured Cyprus, selling it to Guy de Lusignan.
  • Lusignan (French) dynasty introduced feudal system and governed a majority Greek Orthodox population.

  • “Lusignan Cyprus became one of the wealthiest kingdoms in medieval Europe, serving as the primary staging ground for crusading activities in the Middle East.” [18:30]

  • Famagusta’s Wealth: Became a major commerce hub for Venetians, Genoese, and Pisans.

6. Venetian and Ottoman Cyprus

• Venetian Rule (1489–1571):

  • Focused on fortress building but was unpopular due to high taxes and trade controls.
  • Many local Greeks preferred Ottoman rule by the end.

• Ottoman Conquest (1571):

  • Introduced millet system, giving Orthodox Church civil authority:

    “The Ottomans implemented their standard millet system, recognizing the Greek Orthodox Church as the sole representative of the Christian population. This gave the Orthodox clergy significant secular authority, including tax collection responsibilities which they never possessed under previous Catholic rulers.” [22:10]

  • Major demographic changes as Muslim colonists were settled.

• Greek War of Independence (1821):

  • Fears of support for Greek rebels led to execution of archbishop and prominent Greeks.

7. British Rule and the Road to Independence

• British Control (from 1878):

  • Secured administrative control in exchange for protection of the Ottoman Empire against Russia.
  • Used as a base to safeguard the Suez Canal.
  • Institutionalized ethnic divisions through new constitution.

  • “The British implemented a constitutional system that formally recognized both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. But this institutional recognition of ethnic divisions arguably made them more rigid and politically significant than they had been under Ottoman rule.” [26:30]

• Enosis Movement:

  • Greek Cypriot push for union with Greece grew alongside British rule.

• Crown Colony (1925):

  • Anti-colonial revolt by EOKA (1955–1959), ending in 1960 independence.

8. Modern Divisions and the Frozen Conflict

• Republic of Cyprus (1960):

  • Constitution split offices between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
  • Independence guaranteed by Britain, Greece, and Turkey; Britain kept two military bases.

• Inter-communal Violence (1963) & UN Peacekeeping (1964):

  • Breakdown of power-sharing, Turkish Cypriot enclaves formed.

• 1974: Coup and Turkish Invasion

  • Greek-sponsored coup led to Turkish military intervention.

  • “The crisis deepened dramatically in 1974. A coup in Nicosia by Greek officers seeking union with Greece triggered a Turkish military intervention on July 20, followed by a second offensive in August.” [31:15]

  • Cyprus divided: Greek Cypriot south, Turkish-controlled north (recognized only by Turkey), UN buffer zone across the “Green Line” in Nicosia.

• Recent Attempts at Settlement:

  • UN Annan Plan (2004): Approved by Turkish Cypriots (65%), rejected by Greek Cypriots (76%).
  • Cyprus joined EU (2004); adopted Euro (2008).

  • “The situation on Cyprus is basically a frozen conflict. Since 1974, little has changed on the ground and the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus is one of the oldest in the world.” [34:00]

• Personal Note from Gary:

  • “Visiting the various parts of the island actually isn't hard. I flew into Cyprus and was able to walk over to North Cyprus rather easily and it was also possible to drive through the British areas.” [35:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "[T]his was one of the great tragedies of the world because we no longer have hippos and elephants that are the size of large dogs, which would have been really awesome to have as pets." — Gary [05:45]
• "The demand for Cypriot copper reached as far as Sardinia in the west and Mesopotamia in the east, establishing trade relationships that would persist for thousands of years." — Gary [07:30]
• "When the Assyrian Empire expanded westward…the Cypriot kings chose submission over destruction, agreeing to pay tribute while maintaining their internal autonomy." [10:45]
• "Christianity arrived early in Cyprus…they converted the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus, making Cyprus one of the first territories with a Christian governor." [14:30]
• "This arrangement…required Cyprus to pay tribute to both powers while maintaining internal autonomy under a Byzantine governor." [16:10]
• "Lusignan Cyprus became one of the wealthiest kingdoms in medieval Europe, serving as the primary staging ground for crusading activities in the Middle East." [18:30]
• "The Ottomans implemented their standard millet system, recognizing the Greek Orthodox Church as the sole representative of the Christian population. This gave the Orthodox clergy significant secular authority..." [22:10]
• "The British implemented a constitutional system that formally recognized both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. But this institutional recognition of ethnic divisions arguably made them more rigid..." [26:30]
• "The situation on Cyprus is basically a frozen conflict. Since 1974, little has changed on the ground and the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus is one of the oldest in the world." [34:00]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:10] – Early prehistory and extinction of pygmy animals
• [06:40] – Introduction of copper working and the island's naming
• [09:20] – Formation and resilience of city kingdoms
• [12:15] – Persian rule and transition to Hellenistic Egypt
• [14:30] – Arrival of Christianity
• [16:10] – Arab raids and dual administration with Byzantium
• [18:30] – Crusader conquest and Lusignan dynasty
• [21:35] – Ottoman conquest and administrative reform
• [24:45] – Greek War of Independence and Ottoman crackdown
• [25:40] – British administrative takeover
• [29:00] – Cypriot independence and constitutional challenges
• [31:15] – 1974 coup and Turkish intervention
• [33:45] – Cyprus in the EU and current division
• [35:10] – Gary’s modern travel experience and conclusion

Final Thoughts

Gary Arndt masterfully traces Cyprus’s journey from a prehistoric outpost with unique fauna to the stage of countless imperial dramas, and ultimately to its present-day status as a divided, yet still strategically vital, nation. The episode highlights not only the succession of rulers and pivotal clashes but also the resilience and adaptability of Cyprus’s people in the face of repeated upheaval and external pressure.

Gary teases a future episode dedicated solely to the modern division and peace process in Cyprus, promising deeper discussion on the ongoing frozen conflict.