Kingdoms of the Iron Age

1. 1
   

   Step 1 · Chronology · 11 min read

   Cypro-Geometric Cyprus

   Where the kingdoms may begin: new dromos tombs, early ironworking, the Syllabary and the debate over their origins.

   The Early Iron Age of Cyprus, c. 1050–750 BCE, of new dromos tombs, early ironworking, the Cypriot Syllabary and the debated origins of the city-kingdoms.

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   Step 2 · Daily Life · 18 min read

   Writing and Literacy in Ancient Cyprus

   The scripts in use, from the Cypriot Syllabary and Eteocypriot to Phoenician and the Greek alphabet, and who wrote them.

   The scripts of ancient Cyprus, from undeciphered Cypro-Minoan to the Cypriot Syllabary, Eteocypriot, Phoenician and the Greek alphabet, and who used them.

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   Step 3 · Cultures · 11 min read

   The Phoenicians

   The Levantine traders and settlers who made Kition a Phoenician kingdom among the Cypriot ones.

   The Iron Age city-states of the Levantine coast, whose traders and settlers made Kition a Phoenician kingdom and shared a hybrid culture with Cyprus.

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   Step 4 · Cultures · 12 min read

   Neo-Assyrian Empire and Cyprus

   Around 709 BCE the Cypriot kings submit to Assyria and become tribute-paying clients ruled indirectly.

   The Mesopotamian empire to which the Cypriot kings submitted around 709 BCE, ruling them indirectly as tribute-paying clients.

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   Step 5 · Chronology · 11 min read

   Cypro-Archaic Cyprus

   The kingdoms at their height under Assyrian, Egyptian and Persian overlords, with rural sanctuaries and regional pottery.

   The age of the Cypriot city-kingdoms, c. 750–475 BCE, under Assyrian, Egyptian and Persian overlordship, with rural sanctuaries and regional pottery styles.

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   Step 6 · Weapons & Armor · 15 min read

   Arms and Armour of Iron Age Cyprus

   How the kingdoms fought: iron swords, armour, the Salamis chariot burials and the siege of Paphos in 498 BCE.

   The iron and bronze weapons, armour and chariots of Cyprus from the first iron daggers of c. 1100–1050 BCE to the end of the city-kingdoms around 310 BCE.

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   Step 7 · Weapons & Armor · 16 min read

   Fortifications in Ancient Cyprus: From Khirokitia to the Siege of Paphos

   The city walls of the Iron Age kingdoms, set against the few earlier episodes of wall-building on the island.

   The walls, forts and enclosures Cypriots built in a few distinct episodes, from Aceramic Khirokitia to the city walls of the Iron Age kingdoms.

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   Step 8 · Cultures · 19 min read

   Achaemenid Persia

   Persia's hold over the kingdoms as tribute-paying client states, from c. 545 or 525 BCE until 332 BCE.

   The Persian Empire, which held the Cypriot city-kingdoms as tribute-paying client states from c. 545 or 525 BCE until 332 BCE.

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   Step 9 · Chronology · 20 min read

   Cypro-Classical Cyprus

   The last phase: Evagoras I of Salamis, the Idalion bronze tablet, coinage and the Hellenization debate.

   The last phase of the Cypriot city-kingdoms, c. 480–310 BCE, under loose Persian overlordship, ending when Ptolemy I abolished the kings.

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    Step 10 · Chronology · 11 min read

    Hellenistic Cyprus

    The end of the kings: Ptolemaic Cyprus governed as a single province from Nea Paphos.

    The Ptolemaic period in Cyprus, c. 310–31 BCE, when the city-kingdoms were abolished and the island was governed as one province from Nea Paphos.

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