Cyprus Under Achaemenid Rule (493 BCE and Beyond)
Content:
In 493 BCE, Cyprus—a strategically vital island in the eastern Mediterranean—was firmly under the control of the Achaemenid Empire, the vast Persian state ruled by Darius I. This period marked a continuation of Persian dominance over Cyprus, which had begun decades earlier under Cyrus the Great (c. 545 BCE).
Historical Context:
- Early Persian Conquest: Cyprus had been a contested region between the Greeks and the Near Eastern powers. After the fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, Cyrus the Great incorporated Cyprus into the Achaemenid Empire as part of its Fifth Satrapy (province), which also included Phoenicia and Syria.
- Greek Influence vs. Persian Rule: Despite Persian overlordship, many Cypriot city-states (such as Salamis, Kition, and Paphos) retained Greek cultural and political traditions, ruled by local kings who paid tribute to Persia.
Events Around 493 BCE:
- Ionian Revolt (499-493 BCE): Some Cypriot cities, particularly those with strong Greek ties, joined the failed Ionian Revolt against Persian rule (499-494 BCE). The Persians, under Darius I, brutally suppressed the rebellion.
- Consolidation of Persian Power: After crushing the revolt, Persia reasserted control over Cyprus, reinforcing its administration and ensuring loyalty from local rulers.
Impact of Persian Rule:
- Military {content}amp; Economic Role: Cyprus was a key naval base for Persia, supplying ships for campaigns like the later Greco-Persian Wars (e.g., the Battle of Salamis, 480 BCE).
- Cultural Exchange: Persian rule brought influences in art, coinage, and administration, though Hellenic culture remained strong.
Later History:
Cyprus remained under Persian control until Alexander the Great's conquest (333 BCE), after which it became part of the Hellenistic world.
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