The History of Cyprus Podcast

Dec 02 2024 74 ep. 33 mins 39
The History of Cyprus Podcast artwork

Welcome to the History of Cyprus Podcast. Follow us on Instagram! https://instagram.com/thehistoryofcyprus I’d like to thank each and every participant (and every future guest) in this project as without their time and hard work in their respective fields of archaeology, linguistics, social and political history, this would not have been possible. I’ve released three episodes that I know you will find as fascinating to listen to as it was for me to record – Dr. Alan Simmons, professor Emeritus from the University of Nevada shares with us his seminal research on Akrotiri-Aetokremnos where the first occupants of Cyprus hunted pygmy elephants and hippopotami. Dr. Pippa Steele from the University of Cambridge discusses early languages in pre-Roman Cyprus, from the late Bronze Age to the Ptolemaic and Dr. Drew Wilburn from Oberlin College will discuss magic and curses from Ancient Amathus. And there are more to come. Every month I will be releasing a new episode as it relates to Cypriot history. In this podcast we’ll cover Cyprus from 10,000 BCE to the 20th century – we’ll discuss language, culture, war, economy, religion, political and social history. I’m confident that there’ll be something here for everyone. If you’d like to reach me, my name is Andreas. Please feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

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*NEW EPISODE!* 33. Engineers, Envoys & Explorers: Cyprus & Alexander the Great with Andreas Parpas

Dec 02 2024 53 mins  
Prior to recording this episode, I had never put any real thought into Cyprus' role in Alexander the Great's campaigns. Afterall, Cyprus is rarely (if ever) mentioned when discussing Alexander's conquests. And yet I was floored to learn not only of its significant naval contributions but just how often Alexander himself recognized the superiority of Cypriot seafaring and engineerin

*BONUS EPISODE!* Xαίρε καί πίει εύ: The History of Commandaria with Antonis Constantinou

Nov 25 2024 52 mins  
Be Happy and Drink Well. Commandaria stands proudly as a testament to the viticultural excellence of Cyprus. In fact, Commandaria holds the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously produced wines in the world. Though produced for centuries, the roots of Commandaria can be traced back to the Crusades in the 12th century. It even won first place in a semi-legendary wine-ta

*NEW!* Primary Source XXXIII: An Excerpt from the Anabasis of Alexander

Nov 14 2024 3 mins  
Arrian's "Anabasis of Alexander" provides us one of the most reliable accounts of Alexander the Great's campaigns -- including Alexander's Siege of Tyre. The siege, which took place in 332BC, relied heavily on Cypriot and Phoenician naval support and provided Alexander a foothold into the Persian Empire. In fact, Arrian speaks of relying on Cypriot engineers who would fit together

32. The Eastern Wanderer: Clearchus of Soli with Gertjan Verhasselt

Nov 01 2024 60 mins  
Clearchus of Soli was an ancient philosopher who lived in the 4th century BCE and was primarily known for his contributions to ethics and moral philosophy. Clearchus was a student of Aristotle who is often associated with his Peripatetic school. He wrote extensively on Eastern Cultures and is thought to have traveled eastward-bound, to the Bactrian city of Ai-Khanoum (Alexandria on

*SPECIAL!* Fantasy, Folklore & Film: "Motherwitch" with Minos Papas

Oct 16 2024 69 mins  
Itsy bitsy sausagesBlack hilted knifeEat and departTo the place of no return*If you're like me, you've almost certainly heard the stories. Light your fireplace. Set your colanders out. Placate them with food and desserts until the Epiphany bells ring. Then -- and only then -- will they return to the underworld. Ironically, the Twelve Days of Christmas could be a terrifying time. An

Primary Source XXXII: The Inscription at Ai Khanoum

Oct 09 2024 1 mins  
Ai-Khanoum was an ancient Greek city located in the northern part of modern-day Afghanistan, near the border with Tajikistan. This city was notable for its Hellenistic architectural and cultural influence, and it served as a center of Greek culture and administration in the region. So what could this possibly have to do with Cyprus?The Cypriot philosopher, Clearchus of Soli, was sa

31. Cyprus in the Great War: The Cypriot Mule Corps with Andrekos Varnava

Oct 01 2024 58 mins  
As World War I engulfed Europe, Britain and its colonies were not spared. Despite Cyprus avoiding conscription like Canada, the British coaxed Cypriots to enlist in auxiliary roles, notably the mule corps, to aid the Allies on the Salonica front. Promised non-combat duties, Cypriots soon found themselves thrust into conflict. How were they persuaded? What trials did they face? How

BONUS EPISODE! Follow Where Reason Leads: Zeno of Citium & Stoicism with Andrew Erskine

Sep 19 2024 37 mins  
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. Ship

Primary Source XXXI: "I want YOU for the Cypriot Mule Corps!"

Sep 14 2024 1 mins  
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 a

30. Living on the Edge: Earthquakes and The Kourion Urban Space Project with Laura Swantek

Sep 02 2024 97 mins  
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