In 1570 the Ottoman Turks invaded the island. The capital Nicosia withstood a siege of 45 days before falling to the conqueror. Only the wonderfully fortified and valiantly defended Famagusta resisted with success, despite being besieged by 200,000 enemy troops and defended by only 8000 Venetians and Greeks. During the 11 months of the siege, the Turks attacked the city with 163,000 shells. The Turks lost 80,000 men before the walls, and failed to conquer the city, which finally capitulated in August 1571 when not a single grain of wheat or handful of gunpowder was left. Despite the agreement made for the safe departure of the remaining defenders of the city, they were all slaughtered, and their Leader Mark Antonio Bragadino, was tortured savagely and died while being flayed alive. Then followed three centuries of Ottoman rule, characterized mainly by the almost complete spiritual and cultural isolation of Cyprus from Europe. As a small and relatively out-off province of the Ottoman Empire, Cyprus was left to fall into a state of economic, social and cultural decline. Almost the entire population, including the church leaders, could neither read nor write. During the Ottoman occupation there were several revolutionary movements. Some were nationalistic (their aim was liberation from the Turkish yoke), while others were social in nature, (aiming at better living conditions). In 1878, following a deal with Sultan Abdul Hamit, Cyprus was handed over to Great Britain. This, among much else, meant that Cyprus became linked once more with Europe (economically, socially, culturally). Although the English Colonial period was a time of harsh exploitation of the Cypriot people, it must not be forgotten that it was during this period that the foundations were laid for a state of law which functioned in all sectors. Excerpt Cypria is a collection of papers printed between 1892 and 1895 as a supplement to the Owl, a newspaper published at Nicosia. Some of these are quite rare and difficult to find. Cobham collected and translated these papers as part of an effort to provide materials for a history of Cyprus. The condition of this very rare first edition is very fine. Volume is tight with a small amount of shelf wear evident at bottom of spine and edges. Pages 321 to 381 very brittle at bottom right margins and disintegrating, NOT affecting text though - at least 3 inches away from text. Price: CyP 550.00