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PODCAST

The History of Cyprus Podcast

cyprusthepodcast

Welcome to The History of Cyprus Podcast -- a monthly series exploring the island’s past from 10,000 BCE to the 20th century. Each episode features in-depth conversations with leading scholars in archaeology, linguistics, political and social history, bringing academic insight to a wide audience. Together, we uncover the languages, cultures, conflicts, and legacies that shaped one of the Mediterranean’s most storied crossroads. Whether you’re a student, a history enthusiast, or just curious about

history

All Episodes

3:04

*NEW!* Ancient Scripts, City-States, and Hidden...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/10/12

Big things are coming! I’m sharing some exciting updates about what’s ahead for The History of Cyprus Podcast — including new episodes on the Cypro-Minoan script, ancient Cypriot city-states, and even a chat with The Met Museum curators on the grand reopening of the Cesnola Collection.

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59:16

*NEW EPISODE!* 43. Erudites in Exile: The Kigalas...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/10/02

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 who moved to Venice, where he became a key figure in both Orthodox

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1:29

*NEW!* Primary Source XLIII: From the Pen of Charles...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/09/15

"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, each pursuing distinct but interconnected careers within the

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49:36

42. Castrum Cyprium: Crusader Castles of Cyprus with...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/09/02

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 dicitur Baffes" and "castellum quoddam firmissimum" in Nicosia. Were there

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01:23

*NEW!* Primary Source XLII: Roger of Howden

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/08/15

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 significance is that the castles predate Richard's conquest (i.e.,

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35:34

*BONUS EPISODE!* Myths & Legends: Cyprus in Mythology...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/08/10

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 the founding of Soli; Agapenor, the Arcadian king who settled in

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46:20

*NEW EPISODE!* 41. The Emperor of Flocks & Camels?...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/08/02

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. While often dismissed as an inconsequential footnote, the context of

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01:35

*NEW!* Primary Source XLI: An Excerpt from Aurelius...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/07/15

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 earliest source) from Sextus Aurelius Victor in his work De Caesaribus

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43:26

*NEW EPISODE!* 40. From Exploration to Exploitation:...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/07/01

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) looks at the time when Europeans first became really interested in

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02:03

*NEW!* Primary Source XL: The Travels of Giovanni Mariti

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/06/15

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 an official in the Tuscan consulate in Larnaca. His most notable work,

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33:46

*NEW EPISODE!* 39. Brigands & Bandits: Banditry in...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/06/01

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's wife, and a conflict with a fellow outlaw, Hayreddin. After a

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02:09

*NEW!* Primary Source XXXIX: The Ballad of Hasan Bulli

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/05/15

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 on June 21, 1896.Next month, join The History of Cyprus Podcast as

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48:36

*BONUS!* Surfaces, Surveys & Spatiotemporal Dynamics:...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/05/07

For this bonus episode, I interview Jan Coenaerts and Polte De Weirdt from Vrije University in Belgium as they embark on their next season at The Hala Sultan Tekke Hinterland Survey Project (HST-HASP). They use archaeological survey and landscape analysis to reassess spatial organization at Dromolaxia-Vyzakia (13th–12th century BCE Late Bronze Age harbour town) in order to reconstruct its long-term settlement dynamics, revealing that the Late Bronze Age settlement at Dromolaxia-Vyzakia was larger

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01:13:16

*NEW EPISODE!* 38. Bones, Burials & Bioarchaeology:...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/05/02

In this interview, we delve into the past with bioarchaeologist, Sherry Fox (Arizona State University), as we explore how bioarchaeologists utilize technology to reconstruct the lives of ancient inhabitants, identify various ailments they suffered and how studying even their teeth can unveil details about their occupations. We'll explore a variety of subjects, including cranial modification practices in Cyprus(!), the evolution of burial customs throughout centuries, and the ethical considerations

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01:52

*NEW!* Primary Source XXXVIII: An Excerpt from Luigi...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/04/15

Luigi Palma Di Cesnola is a controversial figure in Cypriot history. Born in Turin in 1832, he served in the First Italian War of Independence and later in the Crimean War. In 1858, he left Italy for the United States where his service in U.S. Civil War earned him distinction. He was later appointed as a consul in Larnaca where he engaged in wide-spread excavations (which many have considered tantamount to looting). Most of his finds were purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art where he served

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01:43

A little update...and a small request!

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/04/05

Hello everyone! Thank you as always for tuning in. I've got a lot of great episodes planned that will take us well into 2026! Have a listen!But I'm also writing to ask for your support. If you enjoy the show or any particular episode, please consider taking some time to leave a review online. Positive reviews help grow the podcast and spread the word. And as always, you can always join as a Patron! For as little as $1 a month, you can help keep the podcast ad free and support the creation of new

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01:32:21

*NEW EPISODE!* 37. For King & Country: Cyprus in the...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/04/02

The impact of the Second World War was far-reaching -- Cyprus included. While initial reactions to the war were muted, the dynamic shifted dramatically when Greece entered the fray, spurring Cypriots to enlist in large numbers to serve King and Country. Much like in World War I, many Cypriots served as muleteers, but this time, direct action was far more likely. Thousands of Greek, Turkish, Armenian and Maronite Cypriots were deployed across the globe, including Egypt, Greece, and, most notably,

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01:59

*NEW!* Primary Source XXXVII: The Battle of Monte...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/03/15

The Battle of Monte Cassino (1944) was a series of Allied assaults on heavily fortified German positions in central Italy, centered around the ancient Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino. Capturing Monte Cassino would weaken Germany's grasp in Italy and open the way to Rome. Cypriot muleteers played a pivotal role in overcoming the rugged terrain and essential for the Allied Effort. Nightly, hundreds of mules carried critical supplies—such as water, rations, grenades, ammunition, and medical

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43:26

*NEW EPISODE!* 36. Deus Vult! The Templars in Cyprus...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/03/02

The Knights Templar were a medieval Christian military order founded in the early 12th century. Originally established to protect pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land during the Crusades, they quickly grew in wealth and influence. In 1191, Richard the Lionheart sold Cyprus to the Knights Templar for 100,000 Syrian bezants.*** This provided the Templar Order the opportunity to exploit Cyprus' wealth for its own gain. However, this would not last long. Within a year, Cyprus was in revolt and though the

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03:35

*NEW!* Primary Source XXXVI: The Templars & The...

The History of Cyprus Podcast ·

2025/02/15

For this month's primary source, our excerpt follows the infamous Easter Revolt* in 1192. After the Templars purchased Cyprus from King Richard the Lionheart, they initiated the heavy-handed exploitation of Cyprus, culminating in a revolt against the Templars and the subsequent transfer of Cyprus back to Richard. This will springboard us into my next interview with Professor Emeritus, Peter Edbury, and the Templar Rule in Cyprus. *This excerpt comes from the The Estoire d'Eracles -- an anonymous

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