Abstract :
The history of Cyprus is among one of the most well-researched and welldocumented
cases of any island in the world. Given its geographic and strategic position as
the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea along the main routes between Europe and
Asia, located west of Syria and south of Turkey, Cyprus has historically been controlled by
several states seeking to gain a foothold for Middle East invasions. Being too small to
defend themselves, Cypriots have grown accustomed to a history of living at the mercy of
the dominant power in the area. As a result, the island has been bought and sold, transferred
from one ruler to another, without the Cypriots ever being consulted.
