Hellenistic Era, Cyprus

When Alexander the Great attacked the Persian Empire in 325BC, the Cypriot kingdoms welcomed him as a liberator, providing him with a fleet of battleships for his victorious siege of Tyre.

The weakening of Phoenicia resulted in greater revenues from the copper trade for Cyprus. But the favourable situation did not last. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, Cyprus became a battleground for his successors. The victor was the Greek-Egyptian Ptolemy I Solter.

Kition, Kyrenia, Lapithos and Marion were destroyed and Nicocreon, the King of Salamis who refused to surrender, committed suicide. Cyprus became part of the Kingdom of Egypt, and its viceroy resided in the new capital, Nea Pafos. Cultural life was influenced by Hellenism, with the Egyptian gods joining the pantheon of deities.

As is evident from this historical account, once again, the island of Cyprus found itself in the crossfire and power struggles of the time.

Sources: Eyewitness Travel: Cyprus