Best cyprusthepodcast Podcasts (2025)

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NEW! Primary Source XXXIX: The Ballad of Hasan Bulli 2:09

16d ago2:09

2:09

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 Cemaled…

1
BONUS EPISODE! Surfaces, Surveys & Spatiotemporal Dynamics: The Hala Sultan Tekke Hinterland Project with Jan Coenaerts and Polte De Weirdt 48:36

21d ago48:36

48:36

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 …

1
38. Bones, Burials & Bioarchaeology: Reconstructing the Past with Sherry Fox 1:13:16

29d ago1:13:16

1:13:16

In this interview, we delve into the past with bioarchaeologist, Sherry Fox (Arizona State University), as we explore how bioarchaeologists utilize technology to reconstruct the lives of ancient inhabitants, identify various ailments they suffered and how studying even their teeth can unveil details about their occupations. We'll explore a variety …

1
Primary Source XXXVIII: An Excerpt from Luigi Palma Di Cesnola 1:52

2M ago1:52

1:52

Luigi Palma Di Cesnola is a controversial figure in Cypriot history. Born in Turin in 1832, he served in the First Italian War of Independence and later in the Crimean War. In 1858, he left Italy for the United States where his service in U.S. Civil War earned him distinction. He was later appointed as a consul in Larnaca where he engaged in wide-s…

1
A little update...and a small request! 1:43

2M ago1:43

1:43

Hello everyone! Thank you as always for tuning in. I've got a lot of great episodes planned that will take us well into 2026! Have a listen! But I'm also writing to ask for your support. If you enjoy the show or any particular episode, please consider taking some time to leave a review online. Positive reviews help grow the podcast and spread the w…

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37. For King & Country: Cyprus in the Second World War with Marios Siammas 1:32:21

2M ago1:32:21

1:32:21

The impact of the Second World War was far-reaching -- Cyprus included. While initial reactions to the war were muted, the dynamic shifted dramatically when Greece entered the fray, spurring Cypriots to enlist in large numbers to serve King and Country. Much like in World War I, many Cypriots served as muleteers, but this time, direct action was fa…

1
Primary Source XXXVII: The Battle of Monte Cassino 1:59

3M ago1:59

1:59

The Battle of Monte Cassino (1944) was a series of Allied assaults on heavily fortified German positions in central Italy, centered around the ancient Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino. Capturing Monte Cassino would weaken Germany's grasp in Italy and open the way to Rome. Cypriot muleteers played a pivotal role in overcoming the rugged terrai…

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36. Deus Vult! The Templars in Cyprus with Peter Edbury 43:26

3M ago43:26

43:26

The Knights Templar were a medieval Christian military order founded in the early 12th century. Originally established to protect pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land during the Crusades, they quickly grew in wealth and influence. In 1191, Richard the Lionheart sold Cyprus to the Knights Templar for 100,000 Syrian bezants.*** This provided the Templ…

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Primary Source XXXVI: The Templars & The Easter Revolt of 1192 3:35

4M ago3:35

3:35

For this month's primary source, our excerpt follows the infamous Easter Revolt* in 1192. After the Templars purchased Cyprus from King Richard the Lionheart, they initiated the heavy-handed exploitation of Cyprus, culminating in a revolt against the Templars and the subsequent transfer of Cyprus back to Richard. This will springboard us into my ne…

1
35. Marks of Devotion or Desecration? Medieval Graffiti with Mia Trentin 1:15:58

4M ago1:15:58

1:15:58

Graffiti is most often associated with vandalism today. The idea of entering a church to carve into a fresco or scratch an icon feels unthinkable. Yet, in Medieval Cyprus, graffiti was a common practice—one rooted in reverence and spiritual expression. Far from desecration, these markings, whether scripts, scratches, shapes, or symbols, carried apo…

1
Primary Source XXXV: The Travels of Jacques Le Saige 1:48

5M ago1:48

1:48

Jacques Le Saige, a silk merchant from Douai, France, embarked on a journey to Jerusalem on March 19, 1518, visiting Cyprus from July to September of that year. In this episode, we hear of his visit to Saint Sophia in Nicosia, offering some of the earliest evidence of medieval "graffiti" -- in this case, marks left by visiting pilgrims. His own nam…

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34. Hail Alexis, the Peasant King: The Cypriot Peasant Revolt with Chrysovalantis Kyriacou 47:06

5M ago47:06

47:06

In 1426, if but for a short while, Cyprus had two kings. King Janus of Cyprus and the ill-fated "Peasant King," Alexis, crowned by the people. The Peasant Revolt is a little known event in Cyprus' history but it is believed to have been triggered by the Mamluk invasion, the capture of King Janus and the sack of Nicosia. After the Muslim withdrawal,…

1
Primary Source XXXIV: The Strambali Chronicle 3:20

6M ago3:20

3:20

This month's Primary Source is based on the "Strambal(d)i Chronicle" written at the end of the 16th century by Diomede Strambali -- a native of Cyprus -- who by the end of the Ottoman conquest, had fled to Rome as a refugee and had his work commissioned in Italian. The Chronicle recounts one of the infamous revolts in Cyprus whereby a peasant king,…

1
BONUS EPISODE! Amathus with Thierry Petit 30:08

6M ago30:08

30:08

Merry Christmas! Enjoy this bonus episode! Amathus is a peculiar place. It's one of the few archaeological sites that has a relatively recent founding (i.e., the Iron Age). It boasts some peculiar customs and archaeological finds (e.g., Hathor capitals) and it is home to the famous Amathusian Bilingual (an epigraphic find that attests Cyprus' myste…

1
33. Engineers, Envoys & Explorers: Cyprus & Alexander the Great with Andreas Parpas 53:52

6M ago53:52

53:52

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 o…

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Primary Source XXXIII: An Excerpt from the Anabasis of Alexander 3:02

7M ago3:02

3:02

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…

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BONUS EPISODE! Xαίρε καί πίει εύ: The History of Commandaria with Antonis Constantinou 52:06

7M ago52:06

52:06

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…

1
32. The Eastern Wanderer: Clearchus of Soli with Gertjan Verhasselt 1:00:59

7M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

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…

1
Primary Source XXXII: The Inscription at Ai Khanoum 1:10

8M ago1:10

1:10

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 phi…

1
SPECIAL! Fantasy, Folklore & Film: "Motherwitch" with Minos Papas 1:09:22

8M ago1:09:22

1:09:22

Itsy bitsy sausages Black hilted knife Eat and depart To 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 Ch…

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31. Cyprus in the Great War: The Cypriot Mule Corps with Andrekos Varnava 58:30

8M ago58:30

58:30

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 persuade…

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Primary Source XXXI: "I want YOU for the Cypriot Mule Corps!" 1:11

9M ago1:11

1:11

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 on…

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BONUS EPISODE! Follow Where Reason Leads: Zeno of Citium & Stoicism with Andrew Erskine 37:32

9M ago37:32

37:32

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 resilienc…

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30. Living on the Edge: Earthquakes and The Kourion Urban Space Project with Laura Swantek 1:37:24

9M ago1:37:24

1:37:24

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 sta…

1
Primary Source XXX: The Sibylline Oracle 1:17

10M ago1:17

1:17

The Sibyls of ancient Greece and Rome were oracles that divined the future by channeling the god, Apollo. Sibyls were considered to be intermediaries between the mortal world and the divine realm, and their pronouncements were highly regarded by the Greeks. Sibyls were often consulted by individuals, city-states, and rulers seeking guidance on impo…

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29. Dedicating to your God: The Votive Tradition with Erin Averett 1:01:58

10M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

Votive practices in Cyprus have long been an integral part of the island's rich cultural and religious traditions. Cypriots have engaged in diverse acts of votive offerings to express gratitude, seek divine favor, or fulfill vows. In ancient Cyprus, votives played a significant role in the worship of various deities. The sanctuaries dedicated to go…

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Primary Source XXIX: The Idalion Bilingual 0:50

11M ago0:50

0:50

The Idalion Bilingual inscription comprises a dedication composed in Phoenician and Greek, using the Cypriot syllabic script. This inscription played a crucial role in deciphering the Cypriot syllabic writing system and is often referred to as the equivalent of the 'Rosetta stone' in Cyprus. Despite Idalion being under Phoenician rule at that time,…

1
BONUS EPISODE! A New Paradigm Shift? The Peopling of Cyprus with Dora Moutsiou 38:50

11M ago38:50

38:50

There's a good chance that you might have heard of a recent study published in May 2024 that revises our understanding of when Cyprus was first settled. You can read more on it here: Archaeology Magazine. ...but to borrow a short excerpt from the article, "It had been argued that hunter-gatherers only traveled to inhospitable islands in the eastern…

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28. Holy Men & Heathens: The Last Pagans of Cyprus with Georgios Deligiannakis 1:00:00

11M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

**My apologies on my audio quality for this episode. Working off an old laptop for this particular recording. Early Christianity in Cyprus dates back to the first century AD, when the island was part of the Roman Empire. According to tradition, the apostles Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark traveled to Cyprus to spread the message of Christianity. The …

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Primary Source XXVIII: The Apocryphal Acts of Barnabas 3:32

12M ago3:32

3:32

If you're listening to this month's Primary Source, you're hearing from the acts of Cyprus' patron saint, St. Barnabas. St. Barnabas was a Cypriot Jew who converted to Christianity and undertook missionary work across the island and beyond. In the Acts of the Apostles, he was accompanied by St. Paul most famously confronting a magician named Elymas…

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27. Between Constantinople & the West: The Middle Byzantine Period with Tassos Papacostas 1:06:11

12M ago1:06:11

1:06:11

For this month's episode, I speak with Tassos Papacostas (King's College London) about Cyprus during the Middle Byzantine Period. We touch upon the political and economic changes that characterize the period in addition to the population movement from urban centers to rural ones (focusing on the 10th century settlement of the Troodos region in part…

1
Primary Source XXVII: St. Neophytos the Recluse 3:20

1y ago3:20

3:20

St. Neophytos the Recluse (Άγιος Νεόφυτος ο Έγκλειστος ca. 1134–1214) was a twelfth century Cypriot hermit and saint whose short chronicle, "On the Calamities Against the Country of Cyprus," provides us with an invaluable look into the Third Crusade and, more specifically, its impact on Cyprus which he considers an unmitigated disaster. He is decid…

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26. The Most (In)visible Minority: Black Cypriots with Serap Kanay 1:17:33

1y ago1:17:33

1:17:33

The roots of the Black Cypriot community can be traced back to different historical periods. Cyprus, being under various foreign dominations, witnessed the movement of people from Africa, particularly through trade routes and often forced migrations. The archaeological record can certainly attest to a Black presence as far back as the Archaic Perio…

1
Primary Source XXVI: An excerpt from The Ottoman Judicial Register 1:07

1y ago1:07

1:07

According to late Ottoman historian, Ronald C. Jennings, little is known “about the places of origins of Black slaves or free blacks in Ottoman Cyprus except that their presence can be documented by the 1590s in the judicial registers from Nicosia” -- as can be heard in this excerpt. Though a very short Primary Source, it is revealing. As was commo…

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25. 1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed with Eric Cline 1:04:00

1y ago1:04:00

1:04:00

My guest this month is renowned archaeologist, Eric Cline. You might be familiar with Dr. Cline from his seminal work, "1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed," which was shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize in 2014, in addition to "Three Stones Make a Wall" and "Digging up Armageddon." Eric, in collaboration with renowned illustrator, Glynnis Fawk…

1
Primary Source XXV: 1177 BC: An Interview with Glynnis Fawkes 46:42

1y ago46:42

46:42

This month's primary source is bit different! Glynnis Fawkes, a highly acclaimed cartoonist and illustrator, has made significant contributions to the field of archaeology by illustrating numerous excavations in the Eastern Mediterranean (and in Cyprus) since 1998. Some of her work is featured in the book, "Cartoons of Cyprus" -- with a wonderful f…

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ZENO OF CITIUM NOW ON PATREON! Follow Where Reason Leads: Zeno of Citium with Andrew Erskine 1:29

1y ago1:29

1:29

For all Patreon members, you can access my interview on Zeno of Citium with Professor Andrew Erskine (University of Edinburgh) now on Patreon. For as little as $1 a month, your contributions help fund the History of Cyprus Podcast and keep it ad free. Please consider supporting the History of Cyprus Podcast and help build this digital repository of…

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24. King Kinyras and the Cypria: Cyprus in the Homeric World with John Franklin 1:23:27

1y ago1:23:27

1:23:27

*My apologies; I had a broken microphone on the day of the recording. But thankfully John's audio quality is perfect! The Epic Cycle, also known as the Trojan Cycle, refers to a collection of ancient Greek epic poems that were composed between the 8th and 6th centuries BCE. It is a series of narratives that revolve around the events related to the …

1
Primary Source XXIV: The Hosting of the Achaeans 1:18

1+ y ago1:18

1:18

Bear with me. This is a long (but important!) episode description. Cyprus is mentioned only once in The Iliad. Kinyras, The King of Cyprus, gifts Agamemnon a breastplate as he prepares for war against Troy: "First [Agamemnon] strapped the splendid greaves around his shins, fitted with silver bindings around his ankles; Next he girt about his chest …

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23. A Fiddler's Fervor: The History of the Cypriot Fiddler with Nicoletta Demetriou 53:52

1+ y ago53:52

53:52

When we think of traditional Cypriot music, typically we picture the fiddle -- ubiquitous to both Greek & Turkish communities in Cyprus. But just what is "traditional" Cypriot music? And who exactly was the Cypriot Fiddler? My guest this month is ethnomusicologist, Dr. Nicoletta Demetriou, whose work and book, The Cypriot Fiddler, frames the bulk o…

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Primary Source XXIII: An excerpt from Magda Ohnefalsch-Richter on Cypriot Music (1913) 2:26

1+ y ago2:26

2:26

Magda Ohnefalsch-Richter was an ethnographer who lived in Cyprus in the latter part of the 19th century. Her published work provides us an invaluable insight into the customs and mores of Cypriots in the period. In this excerpt, Ohnefalsch-Richter notes the different instruments used in Greek and Turkish communities. However, we can't quite speak o…

1
UPDATE: Let's keep the project going together! 2:02

1+ y ago2:02

2:02

A huge thank you to everyone for your unwavering support to The History of Cyprus Podcast. If you're looking for something to tide you over until the next episode, you can find my interview with Thierry Petit, the Director of Excavations at Amathus, on Patreon . The episode is available to all members, regardless of the tier, and for as little as $…

1
22. The Kyprogenes: Aphrodite with Stephanie Budin 1:02:14

1+ y ago1:02:14

1:02:14

Aphrodite is associated with love, beauty and, I learn -- quite erroneously -- with fertility. Often through this sanitized lens, we lose sight of who Aphrodite was: the Goddess of Sex. But who was she? What are her origins? How was she understood in antiquity? And, perhaps more importantly, why is she so intimately associated with Cyprus? Join me …

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Primary Source XXII: A reading from Hesiod’s The Theogony 2:01

1+ y ago2:01

2:01

Cyprus has been intimately associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite for centuries. According to Hesiod, in a calculated act of violence, she was born from the severed genitals of Ouranos near the coast of Cyprus. It is one of the earliest surviving works of Greek literature and is considered a foundational text of Greek mythology. But who exactl…

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21. Tα Kυπριακά: The Cypriot Greek Dialect with Stavroula Varella 1:00:01

1+ y ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Stavroula Varella (King's College London) joins me this month to discuss the origins of the modern Cypriot Greek dialect. We explore the meaning and origins of a myriad of words (e.g., ίντα, θωρώ, έσσω, ηὗρεν and έννε...) and their possible roots. We touch on all the parent languages that inform the Cypriot vernacular including French, Italian, Tur…

1
Primary Source XXI: The Cypriot Greek Dialect: An excerpt from Leontios Machairas 3:23

1+ y ago3:23

3:23

Listen closely. You'll hear snippets of the Cypriot Greek dialect in this excerpt from the Chronicles of Leontios Machairas as he describes a particularly compelling event during Genoese invasion of Nicosia in the 14th century. But this excerpt was chosen not for the story per se. Rather, it was chosen for its rich Cypriot vernacular. Word use, suc…

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20. The Dragoman: The Ottoman Period with Antonis Hadjikyriacou Part 2 41:36

1+ y ago41:36

41:36

A dragoman was an interpreter and guide who facilitated communication between individuals or groups who spoke different languages, particularly in the context of diplomatic, commercial, or cultural exchanges. During the Ottoman Empire, the position of dragoman was highly respected and influential. For Part 2 of my interview with Antonis Hadjikyriac…

1
Primary Source XX: Cabi Omer Efendi and the Execution of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios 1809 1:40

1+ y ago1:40

1:40

Cabi Omer Efendi was an Ottoman statesman and military commander who lived from 1750 to 1814. He served as the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire three times, and was known for his military successes, administrative skills, and political influence. For this month's primary source, he provides a direct account of the execution of Dragoman Hadjigeorg…

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19. Osmanlı Kıbrısı: The Ottoman Period with Antonis Hadjikyriacou Part 1 1:12:38

1+ y ago1:12:38

1:12:38

The Ottoman Period in Cyprus, which lasted from 1571 to 1878, was a significant era in the island's history as it had a lasting impact on its culture, society, and economy. During this period, the Ottoman Empire brought Islam to the island and established a system of local administration through appointed governors and officials. This resulted in a…

1
Primary Source XIX: Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmet Pasha 1571 1:21

1+ y ago1:21

1:21

Sokullu Mehmed Pasha was a prominent Ottoman statesman who served as the grand vizier (chief minister) of the Ottoman Empire for over a decade during the 16th century, under the reigns of Suleiman the Magnificent and Selim II. In this excerpt, he addresses the Venetian Ambassador, acknowledging their recent defeat at the Battle of Lepanto but remin…

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