The History of Cyprus Podcast

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

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 castles there too?  And for that matter, why were they later abandoned? Today my guest is renowned castellologist, Dr. James Petre, whose definitive work "Crusader Castles of Cyprus" frames the bulk of this episode.

Primary Source XLII: Roger of Howden

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., they are Byzantine structures) and serves as a nice segue into my interview next month with Dr. James Petre on the Castles of Cyprus!

BONUS EPISODE! Myths & Legends: Cyprus in Mythology with Christian Körner

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 Paphos after the Trojan War; and Kinyras, the mythical king of Cyprus associated with Aphrodite’s cult and with musical and priestly traditions that echo Greek heroic ideals. Körner explains how these myths should be seen as intentional histories, crafted to serve political, cultural, or even propagandistic purposes at the time they were written down. While many stories link Cypriot origins to Athenian or Homeric heroes, others, like those of Amathus and Paphos, emphasize local roots. He also highlights how these myths often aimed to explain place names, assert legitimacy, or reinforce alliances--effectively serving as ancient “branding campaigns” for the cities, reinforcing cultural ties while also asserting the island’s unique local identity.

41. The Emperor of Flocks & Camels? The Calocaerus Revolt with Maria Castello

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 his revolt raises intriguing questions.
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Maria Castello, whose research sheds new light on this period. Maria suggests that Calocaerus’ rebellion might have been more significant than previously thought. The timing, occurring shortly after a devastating earthquake, and the dramatic manner of his execution hint at broader implications. 

Primary Source XLI: An Excerpt from Aurelius Victor

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. Written in the 4th century, it provides a concise summary of the lives and reigns of Roman emperors from Augustus to Constantius II, and it draws heavily from the Enmannsche Kaisergeschichte, a lost source that served as a common framework for several late Roman historical accounts. This short (but important) source springboards us to next month's episode: the little known and enigmatic Calocaerus Revolt with Maria Castello!

40. From Exploration to Exploitation: The Early History of Cypriot Archaeology with Luca Bombardieri

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 Cypriot history, moving from just writing about it to collecting actual objects. It focuses on three Italian travelers in the late 1700s (Giovanni Mariti, Domenico Sestini and Antonio Mondaini) exploring how their discoveries and actions shaped the way people understood and handled Cypriot artifacts over the next 200 years.

Primary Source XL: The Travels of Giovanni Mariti

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, Travels in the Island of Cyprus, written in the late 18th century, is a rich source of information on the customs, governance, and history of Cyprus under Ottoman rule -- particularly in the earliest excavations on the island. In this excerpt, we hear from Mariti as he discusses some interesting finds in and around Larnaca. This excerpt is a perfect springboard into my next month's guest, Luca Bombardieri (Director of the Erimi Archaeological Project) as we discuss early archaeology in his latest publication, "From Exploration to Exploitation: Giovanni Mariti, Domenico Sestini, Antonio Mondaini and the Early History of Cypriot Archaeology." 

39. Brigands & Bandits: Banditry in 19th Century Cyprus with Mehmet Demiryürek

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 failed ambush attempt on Hayreddin—who had allegedly harassed Emete—Hasan was framed and sentenced to prison for a crime he denied committing.
Hasan was convicted and fled to the mountains, where he spent 18 months as a fugitive. His brothers Kaymakam and Hüseyin also became fugitives after being accused of murder. They formed a gang and operated in the mountains until 1896 where they were ultimately captured and killed. 
But who were the Bullis? And how do we separate fact from fiction? Through a balanced lens, Professor Mehmet Demiryürek (Hitit University) examines the reality behind the legends, exploring the socio-economic conditions of the period, the Bouliler's deeds and misdeeds, and their enduring impact on modern Cypriot memory. 

Primary Source XXXIX: The Ballad of Hasan Bulli

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 I welcome Dr. Mehmet Demiryürek to discuss brigands and bandits in 19th-century Cyprus!

BONUS EPISODE! Surfaces, Surveys & Spatiotemporal Dynamics: The Hala Sultan Tekke Hinterland Project with Jan Coenaerts and Polte De Weirdt

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 and more dispersed than previously thought.