History

Above: Picture of Queen of Cyprus

Queen of Cyprus – Catherine Cornaro

Budapest Reign: 1474-1489

Born: November 25, 1454 (Venice)

Died: July 10, 1510

Venice Predecessor: James II

The Queen of Cyprus, Nobil Donna Catherine Cornaro reigned from 1474-1489. She was anointed as a “Daughter of the Venetian Republic”. The reason behind this is, is so that Vencie would have power over Cyprus right after the passing away of her spouse, James II (James the Bastard)

Early Beginnings

Above: Picture of Cinyris and Myrrha

In Greek mythology, King Cinyras was the father of Myrrha (also known as Smyrna) and Adonis. Cinyras was the spouse of Galatea (also known as Metharme) and he was also the son of Apollo.

Apollo and Cinyras had a musical contest to distinguish who was superior to the lyre. When Cinyras lost to his father, he killed himself.

Cinyras was adored as the creator of musical instruments such as the flute and revered as the originator of art in Cyprus.

Above: Picture of Aphrodite

Cyprus is famously known for being the mythical birthplace of the Aphrodite – the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

It is said that the goddess emerged fully grown from the foam that gathered around the genitals of the god Ouranos (Uranus) after his son Cronos (Kronos) slashed it off.

Back then, it was believed that only Ge, the Earth and Ouranos existed. Cronos was told by his mother Ge to mutilate his father Ouranos. Cronos did as he was told and obeyed the order to chop off the testicles of his father and tossed it into the sea.

Cyprus has been a gateway to the eastern Mediterranean for 10,000 years, when it was first settled by Anatolian tribes. Since then, the 3,600 square mile island has endured millennia of invasions. It has been fought over by the Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Venetians, the Ottomans and the British. Conquerors came initially for the timber, then for the copper (from whence the name ‘Cyprus’ is derived) and then for the strategic position the island continues to occupy between the eastern and western Mediterranean.

Above: A spectacular sunset at the Rock of Aphrodite

When you do need to get away from work, riging phones and the strain of daily grind, then a drive to the Petra Tou Romiou may be the thing for you.