The History of Cyprus Podcast

*NEW!* LIII. The Misfortunes of Wen-Amun 15.07.2026 2min

In the early 11th century BCE, the Egyptian official Wen-Amun was dispatched on a diplomatic mission to Byblos to acquire timber for the sacred barque of Amun-Ra. His journey quickly unraveled -- pursued by the Tjekker, one of the Sea Peoples active in the region -- Wen-Amun was blown off course and landed in Alashiya (Cyprus). There, he faced a hostile reception, as the locals approached seemingly intent on violence. Brought before Princess Hatiba, Wen-Amun, desperate and stranded, called out to see if anyone could understand Egyptian. Remarkably, one man stepped forward to translate his plea. At this pivotal moment, the narrative breaks off, leaving Wen-Amun’s fate unknown. Yet his misadventure offers a striking glimpse into Egypt’s waning influence abroad and the diplomatic uncertainty of the time. At the same time, the presence of an Egyptian speaker in Cyprus points to the deep interconnectivity of the Late Bronze Age world -- an idea we’ll explore further in our next episode with Dr. Louise Steel, as we examine the ties between Cyprus and Egypt during this formative period.

*BONUS!* Building and Living an Archaeological Fieldwork Project with Luca Bombardieri 05.07.2026 18min

Luca Bombardieri, Associate Professor in Aegean and Cypriot Archaeology at the University of Siena in Italy and the scientific director at the Erimi Archaeological Project in Cyprus, explores what it really means to direct an archaeological excavation. He highlights his unique philosophy of living on-site at Erimi and walks listeners through the complex, behind-the-scenes work that goes far beyond digging -- surveying, soil sampling, conservation, documentation, and required coordination with institutions like the Cyprus Museum. He also tackles major challenges such as looting, the race to secure discoveries before the season ends, and growing development pressures that threaten even protected sites.

52. When Kinship Failed: Cyprus & The Black Death with Tassos Papacostas 02.07.2026 1h

"Out of necessary cruelty, fathers abandoned their sons, and sons fled from their fathers, as the evident danger overcame all the rules of kinship, love, and nature." - Francesco Loredano AKA Henry Giblet on the Plague in Cyprus, 1660.Historian Tassos Papacostas joins The History of Cyprus Podcast to unravel the devastating impact of the Black Death on the island of Cyprus. While many are familiar with the broader European toll of Yersinia pestis, Papacostas helps us trace the origins, symptoms, and staggering mortality rate of the plague — and brings the conversation home to the Eastern Mediterranean.We delve into the earliest known records of the plague’s arrival on Cypriot shores in 1348, including the vivid testimony of Giovanni Francesco Loredano and references in chronicles by Leontios Makhairas, Florio Bustron, and others. How did the plague spread? What parts of the island suffered most, and who were the victims? Papacostas guides us through the archival and textual evidence, including funeral slabs, tax records, and population data, while also addressing monastic donations that reveal the deep scars left by the pandemic. We explore one particularly fascinating manuscript, Parisinus Graecus, a Cypriot copy of the Synaxarion of Constantinople filled with marginal notes recording deaths and donations -- a testament to fear, faith, and survival.

Primary Source LII: Loredano & The Black Death 15.06.2026 2min

The Black Death swept across Europe in the mid-14th century, killing millions and leaving entire regions devastated. No corner of the continent was spared, and Cyprus too fell victim to the deadly pandemic. Giovanni Francesco Loredano, writing under the pseudonym Henrico Giblet, claimed that the plague struck Cyprus in early 1348, spreading from Famagusta and lasting a full year. He described widespread devastation, the king’s withdrawal to the “Castello Dio d’Amore,” (Saint Hilarion) and the ennobling of foreigners to replace lost nobility. Next month, I welcome back Dr. Tassos Papacostas (King's College London) to discuss the Black Death and Cyprus!Click HERE to follow on Instagram or copy and paste this link: instagram.com/thehistoryofcyprus Click HERE to support on Patreon or copy and paste this link: patreon.com/thehistoryofcypruspodcast

51. Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire: Cyprus Between Athens & Persia with Christian Körner 02.06.2026 42min

After the failed revolt against Persian rule, Cyprus experienced a brief and uneasy calm. But that peace quickly unraveled, as the island was drawn into the heart of the renewed conflict between Athens and Persia, becoming a key battleground in a decades-long imperial struggle. In this episode, we explore the turbulent and often overlooked 5th century BCE in Cypriot history -- the period between the failed Cyprus Revolt and the rise of Evagoras I. Dr. Christian Körner joins the History of Cyprus Podcast once more to help us navigate a challenging historical landscape, where much of what we know comes from fragmentary, Athenian-biased sources like Diodorus and Thucydides. As the Greco-Persian Wars intensify, Cyprus is repeatedly drawn into the conflict. We trace four major Athenian-led campaigns culminating in the death of General Kimon. Were the Athenians seen as liberators or invaders? And is the idea of “freedom” for Greek cities in Cyprus truly about independence -- or merely the exchange of one overlord for another?

Primary Source LI: An Excerpt from Diodorus Siculus 15.05.2026 1min

Diodorus Siculus was a 1st-century BCE Greek historian from Agyrium in Sicily who wrote during the late Roman Republic. His most famous work, the Bibliotheca historica ("Historical Library"), is a massive universal history in 40 books that aimed to chronicle the world’s history from mythological times to his own era. In this excerpt, we hear of Cimon, a well-known Athenian general from the 5th century BCE, who helped expand Athens’ power in the eastern Mediterranean. His connection to Cyprus comes from his final campaign in 450 BCE, when he led an expedition to free the island from Persian control. He died during the siege of Citium (now Larnaca), but his forces later won a naval battle near Salamis, Cyprus, before returning home. In my next episode, I welcome back Dr. Christian Korner Dr. Christian Körner to discuss Cyprus in the 5th century!

50. Kypriōn Politeia: The Political Structures and Administrative Frameworks in Iron Age Cyprus with Beatrice Pestarino 02.05.2026 1h 20min

The city-kingdoms of Iron Age Cyprus have always been something of a mystery -- in fact "city-kingdom" itself is a bit of a misnomer to begin with. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Beatrice Pestarino, expert in ancient political systems and author of Kypriōn Politeia: The Political and Administrative Systems of the Classical Cypriot City-Kingdoms, to explore the unique administrative and ideological frameworks of these polities. We discuss the roots of Cypriot kingship, the roles of officials like the basileus, anax, and damos, and how civic and religious authority were often one and the same. From the Idalion Tablet to the records of Kition, we examine the sophistication of land management, taxation, and bureaucratic roles such as the Rab Soferim (Chief of Scribes) and Rab Sarsourim (Chief of Commercial Agents). Along the way, we challenge colonial interpretations of Cypriot governance and ask what it really meant to be a "king" on the island. This episode offers a compelling look at how Cypriot city-states navigated imperial pressures while maintaining a distinctly local political identity.

Primary Source L: The Idalion Tablet 15.04.2026 2min

…and here we are...the 50th Primary Source! Thank you so much for your continued support; it truly means a lot!-----------------------------------------The Idalion Tablet's significance cannot be understated (not to be confused with the Idalion Bilingual). Dated to the 5th-century BCE, it offers rare insight into the island’s political, social, and linguistic history. Written in the Cypriot syllabary and the Arcadocypriot dialect of Greek, the bronze tablet records a public contract made during a siege, in which the king of Idalion and the city’s governing body (the dāmos) reward a family of physicians with land for providing free medical care to wounded citizens. This inscription stands out as one of the earliest known examples of state-sponsored healthcare and reveals a system of governance where power was shared between monarchy and civic institutions -- and not as an absolute monarchy as was once often suggested. It also underscores the administrative sophistication of Cypriot city-kingdoms and contributes significantly to our understanding of the Cypriot syllabary and the evolution of Greek dialects on the island. The Idalion Tablet thus serves as a key piece of evidence for reconstructing the civic and political life of Classical Cyprus. It is also the perfect Primary Source for next month's interview with Dr. Beatrice Pestarino as we discuss the political and social makeup of the Κυπρίων Πολιτεία (i.e., the Government of the Cypriots!)

49. Saints, Synods, and Struggles: The Rise of Christian Cyprus with Young Kim 02.04.2026 1h 8min

In this episode, I welcome Dr. Young Kim, Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, to discuss the role of Cyprus in Late Antiquity. Although often seen as politically unimportant under Roman rule, Cyprus played a key part in trade, religion, and cultural life. We explore how the island became deeply involved in early Christianity--appearing in the New Testament, participating in the first ecumenical councils like Nicaea, and eventually gaining autocephalic (independent) status for its Church. We also look at how saints’ lives, or hagiographies, offer insight into everyday life, travel, and religious change during this time. Special attention is given to St. Epiphanius--his fight against heresies and his dramatic clash with St. John Chrysostom!

*BONUS!* Fragrant & Flavourful: On the Flaouna/Pilavuna & Identity with Anna Charalambidou 30.03.2026 23min

In this bonus episode, I sit down with Dr. Anna Charalambidou from University College London to explore flaounes (φλαούνες/pilavunalar), the iconic Cypriot pastry. Using an ethnomethodological approach, Dr. Charalambidou examines how flaounes reflect and shape Cypriot identity across both Greek and Turkish communities on the island. We discuss their origins, regional variations, and the rich tradition of flaouna-making, uncovering how this beloved pastry connects generations and communities.

Primary Source XLIX: An Excerpt from St. Epiphanius' Panarion 15.03.2026 2min

St. Epiphanius ranks among the most important and well-known saints of Cyprus. Ordained as Bishop of Constantia (Salamis) in the 4th century, he was a steadfast defender of (o)rthodox Christian practice and belief. In fact "Epiphanius was respected not only for his piety and rectitude but for his learning. Churches far from Cyprus consulted him on doctrinal issues."In this dramatization, we hear an excerpt from The Panarion -- a theological treatise written by St. Epiphanius himself. Also known as the "Medicine Chest," the Panarion addresses 80 heresies, many emerging in the post-Nicene period. The excerpt featured here is from Against the Severians, a sect that vigorously rejected marriage and, at least according to The Panarion, viewed women as creations of Satan. Christians have wrestled with what it means to live in a body. Some saw the body as part of God’s good creation--maybe damaged after the Fall, but still good at its core. Others, though, thought the body just got in the way of drawing close to God. In this passage, he pushes back hard against their ideas. The Panarion stands out as a key historical source. It gives us a window into the mess of competing beliefs among early Christians, and it even lets us peek at what religion looked like in Late Antique Cyprus. Next month I welcome Dr. Young Kim to discuss the impact Cypriots made in forming early Christian thought and the foundations of Early Christianity in Cyprus!

*BONUS!* Sun, Sand...and Scandinavians? Vikings in Cyprus 10.03.2026 7min

OK so "Vikings in Cyprus" is a bit hyperbolic as the term Viking tends to suggest pre-Christian marauding warriors who pillaged and plundered all over Europe -- which Cyprus didn't experience. But Scandinavians? Most certainly! Over the past couple of months, I have been scouring the sources for references to Scandinavians and their presence in Cyprus. So far, I have identified four key witnesses to this phenomenon, all from different parts of the Scandinavian world. Chronologically they are: The Danish cleric Saxo Grammaticus, who first writes of King Erik the Evergood of Denmark's death and burial on Cyprus while travelling to the Holy Land (circa 1103); The Icelandic abbot Nikulas Bergsson, who records the presence of a contingent of the Varangian Guard* stationed in Paphos; King Sigurd the Crusader of Norway who stayed on Cyprus for sometime (c. 1107) before visiting Miklagaard ("The Great City," i.e., Constantinople), as recounted by the famous Icelandic writer Snorri Sturluson; and finally St. Birgitta of Sweden, whose foreboding words to the Latin rulers of Cyprus come to us directly from her own testimony (14th century). Together, their works offer rare but compelling evidence that Cyprus was not merely a distant waypoint, but a meaningful hinge between the West and the East within the wider world of medieval Scandinavian travel, devotion, and crusading activity.Please enjoy this bonus content of the dramatized excerpts (excerpts from all four have been included here in one extended Primary Source recording). Though I'd love to have a guest on the show to talk about the relationship between Scandinavia and Cyprus, I don't believe this has been explored in academia as I have not found any published paper. But the search continues!**Famed for their loyalty and ferocity, the Varangian Guard was a contingent of Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon and Rus mercenaries that served as a personal guard to the Emperor in Constantinople.

48. Ancient Art from Cyprus and the Mediterranean: The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art with Joanna Smith 02.03.2026 1h 4min

In this special episode, I’m joined by Dr. Joanna S. Smith, Consulting Curator for the new permanent gallery for the Cypriot Collection at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida. With a career based on decades of fieldwork at sites like Polis Chrysochous, Dr. Smith tells the fascinating story behind The Ringling Museum's ancient art collection. She traces it from the dreams of John Ringling, a circus magnate who became an art patron, to the 19th century explorations of Luigi Palma di Cesnola. The conversation culminates in a look ahead to “Ancient Art from Cyprus and the Mediterranean” The Ringling’s new permanent gallery that opened in January of this year. Dr. Smith offers an inside view of what visitors can expect, the standout Cypriot pieces in the collection, and why this gallery marks a significant moment not only for the museum but for the understanding of Cyprus as a cultural crossroads of the ancient world. Learn more: https://emuseum.ringling.org/collections/141853/ancient-art-from-cyprus-and-the-mediterranean-gallery-12

*SPECIAL!* Cypriot Naming Conventions and WWI Enlistment Data with Andrekos Varnava 15.02.2026 9min

Ever heard of the names "Finikou" or "Pastirou?" Neither have I! In this bonus clip from episode 31 on "Cyprus in the Great War: The Cypriot Mule Corps with Andrekos Varnava," Andrekos helps me work through the enlistment data from my grandparents' villages. We discuss Cypriot naming conventions and the frustrating dearth of data based on the inconsistent record keeping and the unusual Cypriot names from the period in a lighthearted discussion. Enjoy!Some of the roll call can be found in Andrekos' book, "Serving the Empire in the Great War."* **https://www.amazon.ca/Serving-empire-Great-War-imperial/dp/1526103699/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

47. Signs, Scripts & Silence: Cypro-Minoan with Cassandra Donnelly 02.02.2026 1h 26min

Support the Podcast! Nominate The History of Cyprus Podcast for the 2026 CYDIA Award: https://www.cyprusdiasporaforum.com/nominate Cypro-Minoan is an undeciphered syllabic script in use during the Late Bronze Age, offering a rare glimpse into a local writing tradition at the crossroads of Aegean, Levantine, and Anatolian exchange. In this episode, Cassandra Donnelly breaks down what we do know about Cypro-Minoan—from its discovery and visual features to its possible uses in trade and identity. We explore the difference between script and language, discuss the curious appearance of single-sign texts, and examine how writing may have been taught “on the job” by merchants rather than in scribal schools. Donnelly explains how the writing system’s survival during the broader Bronze Age collapse reveals something unique about Cyprus’ decentralized social structure. We also dig into how early 20th-century archaeological ideologies shaped assumptions about ethnicity and literacy on the island.

Primary Source XLVII: Sir Arthur Evans and the Cypro-Minoan Script 15.01.2026 2min

Sir Arthur Evans was a British archaeologist best known for excavating the Minoan palace at Knossos in Crete. He named the Minoan civilization, developed the idea of a pre-Greek Aegean culture, and famously (though controversially) reconstructed parts of the site. But for our purposes, Evans played a key early role in identifying and naming the Cypro-Minoan script. During his study of Aegean scripts, he noticed that some undeciphered inscriptions from Late Bronze Age Cyprus resembled the Linear A script of Minoan Crete and he coined the term Cypro-Minoan to describe these signs, believing they represented a local offshoot of the Minoan writing tradition brought to Cyprus through cultural contact or colonization. Evans recognized its significance and proposed that it was a syllabic script related to earlier Aegean systems. In this excerpt, we hear from his own observations on the enigmatic script -- which leads us to next month's guest, Dr. Cassandra Donnelly as we discuss the enigmatic and undeciphered Cypro-Minoan script!

46. By Sword and By Song: The Byzantine Warrior Hero with Chrysovalantis Kyriacou 02.01.2026 50min

In this episode, I'm joined again by Dr. Chrysovalantis Kyriacou where we discuss the ακριτικά τραγούδια i.e., the Acritic Songs! These are heroic ballads from the borderlands that emerged between the 9th and 11th centuries, highlighting semi- mythological figures like the legendary Digenis Akritas. Passed down through performances at festivals and weddings -- often created and performed by or for rural peasants -- these songs provide rare insight into the lives, struggles, and values of marginalized medieval communities. Their transmission reflects both elite and popular storytelling styles, often mixing Homeric, Christian, and local themes. In Cyprus, these songs were adapted into the local dialect. They also included unique Cypriot experiences, like in The Song of Antzoules, which reflects Cypriot responses to events in Anemourion in Anatolia and subsequent Frankish rule. In Cyprus, the legend of Digenis is imprinted on the land itself, from his handprint on the Pentadaktylos to the rocks of Petra tou Romiou, once believed to have been hurled at Saracen ships by Digenis himself! P.S. In this episode I learn that Vikings (VARANGIANS) may have been stationed in Cyprus!

*SPECIAL!* Dark Christmas Folklore in "Motherwitch," a Film by Minos Papas 25.12.2025 44min

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 the movie a couple weeks ago and chat again with Minos. This film is truly his love letter to Cyprus, its history and its heritage. In this episode, we chat about the performances, the themes and the post-production that went into the film. You'll also get to hear updates on how and when you can see the movie! *If you missed our first interview with Minos on the folklore and the making of Motherwitch, check out "Fantasy, Folklore & Film: 'Motherwitch' with Minos Papas" (October 2024) >>> https://iffr.com/en/iffr/2026/films/motherwitch

Primary Source XLVI: The Acritic Songs 15.12.2025 2min

The Acritic Songs are a collection of Byzantine folk songs whose origins date back to the 9th-11th centuries. These songs celebrate the exploits of the "Acritae," or the frontiersmen, who patrolled the empire's periphery, protecting it from Saracen (Arab) marauders. Though we don't know the exact contexts in which these songs were performed, we know that they appealed to the bottom rungs of society, the disenfranchised and the down-trodden, as the songs were adopted and adapted all over the Greek speaking world -- including, of course, Cyprus. These songs were passed down in oral tradition and adapted linguistically in Cyprus in a way that reflected its own social and political realities. The stories themselves generally fell into two categories: those that celebrate royal authority and look towards God or the State as a source of comfort and protection (ca. 9th-12th centuries) and those which celebrate the hero fighting authority and resisting the cosmic order which is dated after the 13th century (see: Charopalema i.e., Digenis' battle with Death).For this particular song, as interpreted and performed by Michalis Christodoulides Costas Charalambides and Areti Kasapi (and can be purchased here)*, we hear an excerpt from "Ο Κάουρας" (i.e., The Crab). In the song, a giant, monstrous crab chokes the waters of a village/town, terrorizing the community. One of the most notable Acritic heroes, Digenis Akritas, is called upon to defend the people from its terror. The story of the Giant Crab evokes Herculean themes. Those familiar with Greek mythology might identify Digenis's battle with Hercules fighting Karkinos that came to assist the Lernean Hydra. Next month, I welcome back Dr. Chrysovalanti Kyriacou to discuss the Acrites and the Byzantine Warrior Hero!The Acritic Songs on YouTube*Στες Άκρες Των Άκρων - Ακριτικά Τραγούδια Της Κύπρου: Μιχάλης Χριστοδουλίδης, Αρετή Κασάπη, Κώστας Χαραλαμπίδης**Artwork by Dimitris Skourtelis

45. (in)Conspicuous Consumption: The Material Culture of Medieval Cyprus with Maria Parani 02.12.2025 43min

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 near east traditions. Yet, such information is not always easy to find. Few archaeological excavations of the settlements themselves have been conducted on medieval Cyprus, so most of what we know comes from written sources--the accounts of travelers and chroniclers who were dazzled by the nobles’ riches, or the inventories of men like Guy d’Ibelin, a bishop whose household possessions testified both to his monastic vows and to his feudal rank. What can the material culture of medieval Cyprus tell us about its people, their identities, and their aspirations? How did objects serve as status symbols, as well as tools of everyday survival? What are some of the challenges historians and archaeologists face when reconstructing the material world of the past-especially for those at the lower levels of society? In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Maria Parani to help us piece together this fascinating mosaic of history.