The Roman Annexation of Cyprus
In the first century BC Cyprus was caught between a waning Ptolemaic dynasty and an ambitious, indomitable Rome.
After Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BC his generals vied for control of the vast territories of his empire. Among them were Ptolemy I Soter, founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt, and Antigonus I, king of Macedonia, who contested for possession of Cyprus. Nestled in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus was renowned throughout antiquity for its rich natural resources, notably copper and timber. The island changed hands during their struggle, until Ptolemy secured lasting control in 295 BC. Governed from Alexandria, Cyprus became the first and most enduring possession of the Ptolemaic dynasty, economically self-sustaining and a key military stronghold.
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