Mycenaean presence in Cyprus marks a significant chapter in the island’s history, particularly during the Late Bronze Age (1400–1100 BC).
Archaeological evidence suggests that Mycenaeans began settling in Cyprus as early as the 14th Century BC, following trade routes that linked the Aegean with the Eastern Mediterranean.
These settlers introduced the Greek language, religious practices, and artistic traditions, which blended with the local Cypriot culture to create a unique hybrid civilization.
Cities such as Enkomi, Kition, and Salamis became flourishing centres of trade and production, exporting copper and other goods to surrounding regions.
The fall of the Mycenaean palatial system in mainland Greece (1200 BC) likely accelerated the influx of Greek settlers to Cyprus, solidifying the island’s connection to Hellenic culture, which remains a defining characteristic of Cypriot identity today.
The article first appeared in I Stand With Greece.
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