‘Cyprus.’ [‎6r] (11/184)

CHAPTEK I.
History of Cyprus.
There is perhaps no place which has been called by so many
different names as Cyprus; in ancient times we find it called
Cerastis in allusion to its numerous promontories ; Sphecia, from
its ancient inhabitants, the Spheces ; Collinia, from its many hills;
iErosa, from its mines of copper; Macaria, from its excellent situa
tion and rich products, and various other more or less poetic
appellations.
Through its Greek population the island received the name of
Kypros, a title which is believed to be derived from the Hebrew
Kopher (Henna —Lawsonia alba), a plant found there in great
abundance, and from which various highly prized oils and salves
were produced.
This origin of the present name of the island is generally
accepted, though some authorities have endeavoured to trace the
word to the Koman cyprum, or cuprum, copper; to the Greek
cryptos, hidden; and it has even been suggested that the island
was called Cyprus from the cypress-tree; but this opinion is not
supported by anything beyond the similarity in the names.
The earliest notice we have of the inhabitants of Cyprus is de
rived from Josephus, who clearly identifies the island with the
Chittim of the Old Testament, the place in which the descendants
of Kittim, son of Javan, son of Japhet, settled and founded the
ancient Citium. This race appears to have held the island, or a
portion of it, down to the time of Solomon. Bryant intimates that
the Cuthites were also amongst the first settlers in Cyprus.
In these early ages the Phoenicians, belonging to the rising
kingdom of Tyre, were the great traders of the Mediterranean, and
from Eratosthenes we learn that about the year B.c. 1045, this
people established settlements in Cyprus. The history of the
island at this period is, however, so involved in an accumulation of
legends which have gathered round and obscured the original facts,
that no precise information regarding the colonization by the
Phoenicians can be procured. It appears that the early settlers
maintained from the first a connection with the mother country,
and in the time of Hiram, King of Tyre, about B.C. 1,000, we find
them revolting against the tribute levied by that sovereign. This
revolt was suppressed, and it appears that for a long subsequent
period the island continued to be tributary to Tyre.
Equally uncertain is the history of the Greek colonies which
are found to have been formed after those of the Phoenicians, and
Various names
of the Island.
Early settlers.
Colonization
by the Phoe
nicians.
Greek
colonies.