At southern coast of Cyprus it is revealed íåîëèòè÷åñêîå the settlement existing more of 6000 years BC Cyprus roughly developed in a bronze age thanks to presence of ore deposits and a favorable geographical position in east Mediterranean. The island has come under influence ìèíîéñêîé, êàðèéñêîé, Phoenician and Greek cultures. Cyprus became one of cultural and shopping centres of the Ancient Greek world. Later he consistently submitted to Assyria, Egypt, Persia, Macedonia, ýëëèíèñòè÷åñêîìó to Egypt and, at last, Rome. The Christianity on Cyprus has been entered in the middle of 1 century AD When the Roman emperor Konstantin officially recognised Christianity in 4 century AD, the majority of Cypriotes already practised this religion. With transition from ýëëèíèçìà to Christianity Cyprus has been involved in an orbit of the Byzantian civilisation. In 7–10 centuries Cyprus was exposed to invasions of Arabs, but they could not establish for a long time the control over island. The English king the Lion-Heart has grasped Cyprus in 1191 and has given its Gi äå to Luzinjanu. On island the feudal monarchy of a dynasty Luzinjanov has affirmed. Representatives of ruling class spoke in French. In 13–14 centuries Cyprus was used as base for crusades to Palestin, Asia Minor and Egypt. Domination of the Italian merchants was gradually established. In 1489 island the Venetian republic which kept the power over it within almost 100 years has grasped. To 1571 Cyprus Turks-osmanli Turks whom 300 years dominated there have won. In 1878 Turkish sultan Abdul-Hamid II, having suffered severe defeat in war with Russia, has been compelled to conclude a defensive alliance with Great Britain and, under treaty provisions, has conceded it the power over Cyprus.