A country with rich traditions, culture, and heritage, that dates back to ancient times, will always have pride in retelling the beauty of their island through epics and legends of long ago. Cyprus is no different to the rest of the world when it comes to this. Cyprus ancient myths have gone a long way from past centuries, and until now, they’re being told to the present generation. It is through this that a country’s culture becomes more creative and profound.
Because North Cyprus is of Greek descent and is dominated by Greek Cypriots, it is unquestionable then that Cyprus ancient myths would surely be present in their history and culture. Cyprus ancient myths will introduce you to this island as a home of the gods, goddesses, giants, saints, heroes, and more legendary figures. With so many wondrous places and sites in the area, there are also several stories and legends linked to it, and some of the most famous ones are: Aphrodite’s birth place, Five Finger Mountains, the Horned God of Enkomi-Alasia, the returning heroes of Salamis, St. Hilarion’s castle and secret garden of treasures, and Saints and Sarcophagus. Each of these major Cyprus ancient myths have their own stories to tell — how it has come about, how the legend started, how does the story go, etc. — and it’s now time to unravel a brief background of these legends and mythology.
It’s said that the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, arose from the sea foam on the south-western coast of the island. It has adapted the tales of the Greeks, but crafted into something more appropriate for Cyprus, with its features and topography. Another legend is of their great hero, Dhiyenis Akritas, who supposedly created the magnificent Kyrenia mountain ranges. There are also the heroes from Troy who found the city of Salamis. There’s that still unsolved mystery of the hidden treasures in St. Hilarion’s garden. With so many cities and so many beautiful sceneries, it’s no wonder the Greek Cypriots have woven wonderful legends about their place.
Cyprus ancient myths are being expressed and presented through the many fabulous sites of the islands. It may be fictitious to most, but for those who believed that at one time, it did happen, let it be that their imagination create a wonderful peace of history in their great island. If this the way that they appreciate their place, then let them do so by appreciating also the creative legends and stories they have masterfully told from one generation to the next.
