The History of Cyprus Podcast

cyprusthepodcast

Welcome to The History of Cyprus Podcast -- a monthly series exploring the island’s past from 10,000 BCE to the 20th century. Each episode features in-depth conversations with leading scholars in archaeology, linguistics, political and social history, bringing academic insight to a wide audience. Together, we uncover the languages, cultures, conflicts, and legacies that shaped one of the Mediterranean’s most storied crossroads. Whether you’re a student, a history enthusiast, or just curious about Cyprus, this podcast offers something for everyone -- rooted in research, driven by storytelling. If you’d like to reach me, my name is Andreas. Please feel free to send me an email at cyprusthepodcast@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow The History of Cyprus Podcast Instagram and support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheHistoryofCyprusPodcast https://instagram.com/thehistoryofcyprus *The podcast image, ”Dressed for the Gods” (250BC) is from the British Museum taken by William Warby. Check out more of his work at flickr.com/photos/wwarby/

  1. FEB 15

    *SPECIAL!* Cypriot Naming Conventions and WWI Enlistment Data with Andrekos Varnava

    Ever heard of the names "Finikou" or "Pastirou?" Neither have I! In this bonus clip from episode 31 on "Cyprus in the Great War: The Cypriot Mule Corps with Andrekos Varnava," Andrekos helps me work through the enlistment data from my grandparents' villages. We discuss Cypriot naming conventions and the frustrating dearth of data based on the inconsistent record keeping and the unusual Cypriot names from the period in a lighthearted discussion. Enjoy! Some of the roll call can be found in Andrekos' book, "Serving the Empire in the Great War."* **https://www.amazon.ca/Serving-empire-Great-War-imperial/dp/1526103699/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

    9 min

  2. FEB 2

    *NEW EPISODE!* 47. Signs, Scripts & Silence: Cypro-Minoan with Cassandra Donnelly

    Support the Podcast! Nominate The History of Cyprus Podcast for the 2026 CYDIA Award: https://www.cyprusdiasporaforum.com/nominate  Cypro-Minoan is an undeciphered syllabic script in use during the Late Bronze Age, offering a rare glimpse into a local writing tradition at the crossroads of Aegean, Levantine, and Anatolian exchange. In this episode, Cassandra Donnelly breaks down what we do know about Cypro-Minoan—from its discovery and visual features to its possible uses in trade and identity. We explore the difference between script and language, discuss the curious appearance of single-sign texts, and examine how writing may have been taught “on the job” by merchants rather than in scribal schools. Donnelly explains how the writing system’s survival during the broader Bronze Age collapse reveals something unique about Cyprus’ decentralized social structure. We also dig into how early 20th-century archaeological ideologies shaped assumptions about ethnicity and literacy on the island.

    1h 27m

  3. JAN 20

    *NOMINATE!* The History of Cyprus Podcast Cyprus Diaspora Forum 2026 Submission

    I'd like to take a moment to thank listener and patron H.I. along with many others on Patreon for nominating The History of Cyprus Podcast for the 2026 CYDIA Awards in "Culture & Arts" and "Education." As of two weeks ago, I wasn't aware of CYDIA until H.I. sent me a private message informing me of the event which now entering its third year. But the History of Cyprus Podcast still needs your help!  *** https://www.cyprusdiasporaforum.com/nominate *** What is CYDIA? CYDIA "serves as a launchpad for startups, giving them the opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas to investors" and "recogni[zing] the contribution of the diaspora... accelerat[ing' opportunities for entrepreneurship, cross-border investment, and international partnerships." There are a number of categories including Education, Finance & Health to name but a few. From what I understand, this nomination is unofficial (i.e., The History of Cyprus Podcast has NOT been officially nominated). Once nominees are officially announced, they’re voted on, and a winner is chosen for each category. The more nominations The History of Cyprus Podcast gets, the more likely it is to be shortlisted! Why support? Being nominated for the CYDIA Award for Culture would be a major milestone for the History of Cyprus podcast. It represents a chance to bring Cypriot history to a wider audience, amplify stories that are often overlooked, and place Cyprus more firmly in the global conversation about culture and heritage. So, if you're able to, I'd love to receive your support. *** https://www.cyprusdiasporaforum.com/nominate *** Below is some of the information you'll need. The due date for any nominations is March. If you're looking for any additional information, please message me. The History of Cyprus Podcast Andreas Charalambous Toronto, Canada Phone No: 111-1111 cyprusthepodcast@gmail.com

    1 min

  4. JAN 15

    Primary Source XLVII: Sir Arthur Evans and the Cypro-Minoan Script

    Sir Arthur Evans was a British archaeologist best known for excavating the Minoan palace at Knossos in Crete. He named the Minoan civilization, developed the idea of a pre-Greek Aegean culture, and famously (though controversially) reconstructed parts of the site. But for our purposes, Evans played a key early role in identifying and naming the Cypro-Minoan script. During his study of Aegean scripts, he noticed that some undeciphered inscriptions from Late Bronze Age Cyprus resembled the Linear A script of Minoan Crete and he coined the term Cypro-Minoan to describe these signs, believing they represented a local offshoot of the Minoan writing tradition brought to Cyprus through cultural contact or colonization. Evans recognized its significance and proposed that it was a syllabic script related to earlier Aegean systems. In this excerpt, we hear from his own observations on the enigmatic script -- which leads us to next month's guest, Dr. Cassandra Donnelly as we discuss the enigmatic and undeciphered Cypro-Minoan script!

    2 min

  5. JAN 2

    46. By Sword and By Song: The Byzantine Warrior Hero with Chrysovalantis Kyriacou

    In this episode, I'm joined again by Dr. Chrysovalantis Kyriacou where we discuss the ακριτικά τραγούδια i.e., the Acritic Songs! These are heroic ballads from the borderlands that emerged between the 9th and 11th centuries, highlighting semi- mythological figures like the legendary Digenis Akritas. Passed down through performances at festivals and weddings -- often created and performed by or for rural peasants -- these songs provide rare insight into the lives, struggles, and values of marginalized medieval communities. Their transmission reflects both elite and popular storytelling styles, often mixing Homeric, Christian, and local themes. In Cyprus, these songs were adapted into the local dialect. They also included unique Cypriot experiences, like in The Song of Antzoules, which reflects Cypriot responses to events in Anemourion in Anatolia and subsequent Frankish rule. In Cyprus, the legend of Digenis is imprinted on the land itself, from his handprint on the Pentadaktylos to the rocks of Petra tou Romiou, once believed to have been hurled at Saracen ships by Digenis himself! P.S. In this episode I learn that Vikings (VARANGIANS) may have been stationed in Cyprus!

    51 min

  6. 12/25/2025

    *SPECIAL!* Dark Christmas Folklore in "Motherwitch," a Film by Minos Papas

    Merry Christmas! 'Tis the season to light your fireplaces and put out your colanders -- the 12 Days of Christmas are here! And of course you know, that means those pesky Kalikantzari (Christmas goblins) are back again, sowing mischief and cruel tricks. But it's not all bad news. Minos Papas' latest feature film* is making its rounds globally and featuring at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. I had the opportunity to screen the movie a couple weeks ago and chat again with Minos. This film is truly his love letter to Cyprus, its history and its heritage. In this episode, we chat about the performances, the themes and the post-production that went into the film. You'll also get to hear updates on how and when you can see the movie! *If you missed our first interview with Minos on the folklore and the making of Motherwitch, check out "Fantasy, Folklore & Film: 'Motherwitch' with Minos Papas" (October 2024) >>> https://iffr.com/en/iffr/2026/films/motherwitch

    44 min

  7. 12/15/2025

    Primary Source XLVI: The Acritic Songs

    The Acritic Songs are a collection of Byzantine folk songs whose origins date back to the 9th-11th centuries. These songs celebrate the exploits of the "Acritae," or the frontiersmen, who patrolled the empire's periphery, protecting it from Saracen (Arab) marauders. Though we don't know the exact contexts in which these songs were performed, we know that they appealed to the bottom rungs of society, the disenfranchised and the down-trodden, as the songs were adopted and adapted all over the Greek speaking world -- including, of course, Cyprus. These songs were passed down in oral tradition and adapted linguistically in Cyprus in a way that reflected its own social and political realities. The stories themselves generally fell into two categories: those that celebrate royal authority and look towards God or the State as a source of comfort and protection (ca. 9th-12th centuries) and those which celebrate the hero fighting authority and resisting the cosmic order which is dated after the 13th century (see: Charopalema i.e., Digenis' battle with Death). For this particular song, as interpreted and performed by Michalis Christodoulides Costas Charalambides and Areti Kasapi (and can be purchased here)*, we hear an excerpt from "Ο Κάουρας" (i.e., The Crab). In the song, a giant, monstrous crab chokes the waters of a village/town, terrorizing the community. One of the most notable Acritic heroes, Digenis Akritas, is called upon to defend the people from its terror. The story of the Giant Crab evokes Herculean themes. Those familiar with Greek mythology might identify Digenis's battle with Hercules fighting Karkinos that came to assist the Lernean Hydra. Next month, I welcome back Dr. Chrysovalanti Kyriacou to discuss the Acrites and the Byzantine Warrior Hero! The Acritic Songs on YouTube *Στες Άκρες Των Άκρων - Ακριτικά Τραγούδια Της Κύπρου: Μιχάλης Χριστοδουλίδης, Αρετή Κασάπη, Κώστας Χαραλαμπίδης **Artwork by Dimitris Skourtelis

    2 min

  8. 12/02/2025

    45. (in)Conspicuous Consumption: The Material Culture of Medieval Cyprus with Maria Parani

    Material culture-textiles, ceramics, furniture, even the games people played-offers us a window into the lived experience of a diverse society. From the magnificence of the Lusignan court, with its gold-threaded tapestries and Venetian clocks, to the humble cooking vessels of the lower classes, these artifacts reveal not only economic and social divides but also cultural exchanges that blurred the lines between Greek, Latin, and near east traditions. Yet, such information is not always easy to find. Few archaeological excavations of the settlements themselves have been conducted on medieval Cyprus, so most of what we know comes from written sources--the accounts of travelers and chroniclers who were dazzled by the nobles’ riches, or the inventories of men like Guy d’Ibelin, a bishop whose household possessions testified both to his monastic vows and to his feudal rank. What can the material culture of medieval Cyprus tell us about its people, their identities, and their aspirations? How did objects serve as status symbols, as well as tools of everyday survival? What are some of the challenges historians and archaeologists face when reconstructing the material world of the past-especially for those at the lower levels of society? In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Maria Parani to help us piece together this fascinating mosaic of history.

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Welcome to The History of Cyprus Podcast -- a monthly series exploring the island’s past from 10,000 BCE to the 20th century. Each episode features in-depth conversations with leading scholars in archaeology, linguistics, political and social history, bringing academic insight to a wide audience. Together, we uncover the languages, cultures, conflicts, and legacies that shaped one of the Mediterranean’s most storied crossroads. Whether you’re a student, a history enthusiast, or just curious about Cyprus, this podcast offers something for everyone -- rooted in research, driven by storytelling. If you’d like to reach me, my name is Andreas. Please feel free to send me an email at cyprusthepodcast@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow The History of Cyprus Podcast Instagram and support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheHistoryofCyprusPodcast https://instagram.com/thehistoryofcyprus *The podcast image, ”Dressed for the Gods” (250BC) is from the British Museum taken by William Warby. Check out more of his work at flickr.com/photos/wwarby/

Information

  • Creator
    cyprusthepodcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The History of Cyprus Podcast

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